($1,431) Movers From Charleston, SC to Scottsdale, AZ

What to know before moving from Charleston to Scottsdale

Moving from Charleston to Scottsdale comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Scottsdale is generally more expensive than Charleston, 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 32% higher than in Charleston, 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 Charleston.
  Home prices in Scottsdale are 47.9% higher than in Charleston.
• Income in Scottsdale is 3.6% higher than in Charleston, so you could earn more 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 8.5% higher than in Charleston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Scottsdale is 42.1% lower than in Charleston.
• The unemployment rate in Scottsdale is 17.50% higher than in Charleston.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Scottsdale, since the city’s sales taxes in Scottsdale are 10.56% lower than in Charleston.
• One perk of moving to Scottsdale is paying less in state income taxes, which are 64.29% lower than in Charleston.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,256.42 in Scottsdale to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charleston.

How life is different in Charleston vs. Scottsdale

• The population of Scottsdale is about 61% greater than Charleston, 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.
• Scottsdale offers better access to buses and trains than Charleston, based on public transportation ratings. Scottsdale has a transit score of 5 out of 10 compared to 3 in Charleston. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Scottsdale neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Charleston. Based on its score of 32 out of 100, Scottsdale isn’t as walkable as Charleston, which has a score of 40 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.
• If cycling is your thing, Scottsdale is considered more bike-friendly than Charleston in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Scottsdale has a bike-friendliness score of 56 out of 100, while Charleston is rated as 50 out of 100.
• Scottsdale has a lower crime rate than Charleston based on scores of 25.8 and Charleston's 44.97, 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 Charleston, based on Scottsdale’s safety index of 74.2 versus 55.03 for Charleston. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Scottsdale and Charleston is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Charleston 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: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Arizona, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Arizona doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Scottsdale without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Scottsdale

With your sights set on "West's Most Western Town", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Scottsdale.

Helpful moving resources