Moving from Scottsdale, AZ to Santa Clarita, CA
It is a 429 mi drive, roughly 7h 55m, between Scottsdale, AZ and Santa Clarita, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
429 mi Β· 7h 55m by car Β· AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Phoenix |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Scottsdale | Santa Clarita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 9.9% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 9.9% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Scottsdale +1.7%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Scottsdale | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 99Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 16.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Scottsdale (69.6Β°F) and Santa Clarita (65.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Santa Clarita 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, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Scottsdale | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $107,372 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 49.2 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.1% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.06 | 3.04 |
Households in Santa Clarita earn about 9.9% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clarita MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Santa Clarita average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Scottsdale, AZ?
The driving distance is 429 mi and the route typically takes 7h 55m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Scottsdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita is 9.9% higher than Scottsdale (113.566 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to Scottsdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $858,022 in Scottsdale β a 6.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Scottsdale vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $107,372 in Scottsdale β a 11.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Scottsdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA vs $48,600 in the Scottsdale MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Scottsdale to Santa Clarita?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 429 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Scottsdale.
City profiles: Scottsdale, AZ Β· Santa Clarita, CA.