Moving from Newark, NJ to Scottsdale, AZ
A 2386 mi cross-country move between Newark and Scottsdale is 43h 50m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 11 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.
2386 mi Β· 43h 50m by car Β· NJ β PA β WV β OH β IN β IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β WV β OH β IN β IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 70, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Jersey City, Yonkers, Paterson, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Newark | Scottsdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 8.2% cheaper overall in Scottsdale than Newark on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
8.2% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Newark -0.8%, Scottsdale +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Newark | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 99Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 28.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 11.6" |
Annual temperature rises 14.8Β°F moving to Scottsdale per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HARRISON, NJ US, PINNACLE PEAK, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Newark | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 242,169 |
| Median household income | $48,416 | $107,372 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 49.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.2% | 37.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.7 | 2.06 |
Scottsdale households earn about 8.2% more than Newark at the median β $48,416 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 New Jersey 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
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 (14.8Β°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
Is Scottsdale more expensive than Newark?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Scottsdale is 8.2% lower than Newark (103.316 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Scottsdale, AZ from Newark, NJ?
The driving distance is 2386 mi and the route typically takes 43h 50m via I 40 and I 70. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Scottsdale compare to Newark?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Scottsdale MSA vs $59,390 in the Newark MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Newark to Scottsdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2386 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Scottsdale compared to Newark?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $858,022 in Scottsdale vs $478,455 in Newark β a 79.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Newark vs Scottsdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $107,372 in Scottsdale vs $48,416 in Newark β a 121.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Newark.
City profiles: Newark, NJ Β· Scottsdale, AZ.