Moving from Raleigh, NC to Scottsdale, AZ
Cross-country relocations like Raleigh, NC β Scottsdale, AZ cover 2170 mi and about 38h 57m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2170 mi Β· 38h 57m by car Β· NC β VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 52, I 81 |
| Major cities en route | Durham, Cary, Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Raleigh | Scottsdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 5.3% pricier overall in Scottsdale than Raleigh on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Scottsdale typical home at $858,022 is 5.3% above Raleigh at $433,996 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Raleigh -2.3%, Scottsdale +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Raleigh | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 99Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 49.4" | 11.6" |
Climate warms by 8.5Β°F on the annual average β 61.1Β°F β 69.6Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US, PINNACLE PEAK, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Raleigh | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 242,169 |
| Median household income | $82,424 | $107,372 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 49.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 37.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.06 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 5.3% between Raleigh and Scottsdale (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 North Carolina 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-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can 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.
- 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 Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance is 2170 mi and the route typically takes 38h 57m via I 40 and US 52. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Raleigh to Scottsdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2170 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Scottsdale compare to Raleigh?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Scottsdale MSA vs $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Raleigh vs Scottsdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $107,372 in Scottsdale vs $82,424 in Raleigh β a 30.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Scottsdale compared to Raleigh?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $858,022 in Scottsdale vs $433,996 in Raleigh β a 97.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Scottsdale more expensive than Raleigh?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Scottsdale is 5.3% higher than Raleigh (103.316 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Raleigh.
City profiles: Raleigh, NC Β· Scottsdale, AZ.