Moving from Scottsdale, AZ to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Moving from Scottsdale, AZ to Fort Lauderdale, FL is a 2351 mi cross-country relocation β about 41h 17m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2351 mi Β· 41h 17m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Phoenix, Peoria, Mesa, Glendale, Tempe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Scottsdale | Fort Lauderdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Fort Lauderdale is 10.5% higher than Scottsdale, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Fort Lauderdale is 10.5% below Scottsdale β $858,022 vs $508,474 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Scottsdale +1.7%, Fort Lauderdale -4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Scottsdale | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 77Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 60Β°F |
| July avg high | 99Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 64.3" |
Fort Lauderdale runs 7.3Β°F warmer on the annual average (69.6Β°F vs 76.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Fort Lauderdale gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PINNACLE PEAK, AZ US, FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Scottsdale | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | 183,032 |
| Median household income | $107,372 | $79,935 |
| Median age | 49.2 | 42.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.1% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.06 | 2.27 |
Median household income in Fort Lauderdale is 10.5% below Scottsdale ($107,372 vs $79,935, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fort Lauderdale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Fort Lauderdale average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Fort Lauderdale averages 64.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Fort Lauderdale compared to Scottsdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale vs $858,022 in Scottsdale β a 40.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fort Lauderdale compare to Scottsdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA vs $48,600 in the Scottsdale MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from Scottsdale, AZ?
The driving distance is 2351 mi and the route typically takes 41h 17m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fort Lauderdale more expensive than Scottsdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Lauderdale is 10.5% higher than Scottsdale (114.155 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Scottsdale to Fort Lauderdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2351 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Scottsdale vs Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $107,372 in Scottsdale β a 25.6% lower 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 Scottsdale.
City profiles: Scottsdale, AZ Β· Fort Lauderdale, FL.