Moving from Knoxville, TN to Scottsdale, AZ
A 1803 mi cross-country move between Knoxville and Scottsdale is 32h 5m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1803 mi Β· 32h 5m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, AZ 77, US 270 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Phoenix, Glendale, Chandler, Tempe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Knoxville | Scottsdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.569 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.869 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 82.783 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Scottsdale runs about 11.6% more expensive overall than Knoxville β RPP 92.569 β 103.316.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $369,216 in Knoxville to $858,022 in Scottsdale, a 11.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Knoxville +0.7%, Scottsdale +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Knoxville | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 99Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.8" | 11.6" |
Annual temperature rises 11.7Β°F moving to Scottsdale per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US, PINNACLE PEAK, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Knoxville | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 242,169 |
| Median household income | $50,994 | $107,372 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 49.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 37.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.28 | 2.06 |
Scottsdale households earn about 11.6% more than Knoxville at the median β $50,994 β $107,372 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Scottsdale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Scottsdale average 99Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Scottsdale sees only 11.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Scottsdale, AZ from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance is 1803 mi and the route typically takes 32h 5m via I 40 and AZ 77. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Scottsdale compare to Knoxville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Scottsdale MSA vs $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 413,540 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Knoxville vs Scottsdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $107,372 in Scottsdale vs $50,994 in Knoxville β a 110.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Knoxville to Scottsdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1803 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Scottsdale more expensive than Knoxville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Scottsdale is 11.6% higher than Knoxville (103.316 vs 92.569, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Scottsdale compared to Knoxville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $858,022 in Scottsdale vs $369,216 in Knoxville β a 132.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Knoxville.
City profiles: Knoxville, TN Β· Scottsdale, AZ.