Moving from Scottsdale, AZ to Lakeland, FL
A 2163 mi cross-country move between Scottsdale and Lakeland is 38h 3m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 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.
2163 mi Β· 38h 3m 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 | Lakeland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 97.141 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 86.883 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 95.942 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.0% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Lakeland at 97.141 vs Scottsdale at 103.316.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.0% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $858,022 to $311,156 moving to Lakeland.
YoY change: Scottsdale +1.7%, Lakeland -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Scottsdale | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 99Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 56.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Scottsdale (69.6Β°F) and Lakeland (73.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Lakeland 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, LAKELAND 2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Scottsdale | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | 117,030 |
| Median household income | $107,372 | $60,947 |
| Median age | 49.2 | 39.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.1% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.06 | 2.53 |
Lakeland households earn about 6.0% less than Scottsdale at the median β $107,372 β $60,947 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lakeland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 42,440 | $36,490 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 33,100 | $39,890 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 24,560 | $34,180 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,800 | $28,640 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 15,650 | $35,680 |
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 Lakeland average 92Β°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: Lakeland averages 56.8 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 far is Lakeland, FL from Scottsdale, AZ?
The driving distance is 2163 mi and the route typically takes 38h 3m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Lakeland compared to Scottsdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $311,156 in Lakeland vs $858,022 in Scottsdale β a 63.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Scottsdale vs Lakeland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,947 in Lakeland vs $107,372 in Scottsdale β a 43.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Scottsdale to Lakeland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2163 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Lakeland more expensive than Scottsdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakeland is 6.0% lower than Scottsdale (97.141 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Lakeland compare to Scottsdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,780 in the Lakeland MSA vs $48,600 in the Scottsdale MSA, on total employment of 256,700 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Scottsdale.
City profiles: Scottsdale, AZ Β· Lakeland, FL.