($1,521) Movers From Harrisburg, PA to Scottsdale, AZ

What to know before moving from Harrisburg to Scottsdale

Moving from Harrisburg to Scottsdale comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Scottsdale is generally more expensive than Harrisburg, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Scottsdale are 175% higher than in Harrisburg, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Harrisburg.
  Home prices in Scottsdale are 259.6% higher than in Harrisburg.
• Income in Scottsdale is 11.9% lower than in Harrisburg, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Scottsdale include Honor Health, CVS Health, and Scottsdale Unified School District.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Scottsdale, since the cost of living for a single person in Scottsdale is 211.1% higher than in Harrisburg. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Scottsdale, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Scottsdale is 26.5% higher than in Harrisburg.
• The unemployment rate in Scottsdale is 64.93% lower than in Harrisburg.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Scottsdale, since the city’s sales taxes in Scottsdale are 34.17% higher than in Harrisburg.
• One perk of moving to Scottsdale is paying less in state income taxes, which are 18.57% lower than in Harrisburg.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $9,334.23 in Scottsdale to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Harrisburg.

How life is different in Harrisburg vs. Scottsdale

• The population of Scottsdale is about 382% greater than Harrisburg, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Getting around Scottsdale without a car might be more difficult than in Harrisburg. Scottsdale has a public transportation score of 5 out of 10, whereas Harrisburg is ranked 6. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Scottsdale neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Harrisburg. Based on its score of 32 out of 100, Scottsdale isn’t as walkable as Harrisburg, which has a score of 68 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• Scottsdale and Harrisburg are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 56 and 57 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
• Scottsdale has a lower crime rate than Harrisburg based on scores of 25.8 and Harrisburg's 64.18, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Scottsdale than in Harrisburg, based on Scottsdale’s safety index of 74.2 versus 35.82 for Harrisburg. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Scottsdale has better air quality than in Harrisburg. Scottsdale has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Harrisburg. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your Harrisburg vs. Scottsdale move

• Weather: Extreme heat may cause discomfort if you choose to move in the summer. Pay close attention to heat sensitive household items such as instruments, antique furniture, and electronics.
• HOA rules: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
• Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
• Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
• State licensing: Though Arizona is largely an “unregulated” state, local moving companies are subject to some Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and Department of Weights and Measures regulations intended to ensure that they operate safely and ethically. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a Arizona moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Arizona, though it\’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
• Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toScottsdale Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.Choose Released Value Protection for its cost-effectiveness—offered by movers at no extra charge, although it provides minimal coverage. With a liability limit of 60 cents per pound per article, consider this option carefully. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement would only be $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternative options or consider third-party insurance providers.
• Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in Scottsdale

Now that you’ve chosen "West's Most Western Town" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Scottsdale to check out.

Helpful moving resources