Moving from Scottsdale, AZ to Tuscaloosa, AL
Cross-country relocations like Scottsdale, AZ β Tuscaloosa, AL cover 1672 mi and about 29h 3m of driving through 6 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.
1672 mi Β· 29h 3m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Phoenix, Peoria, Glendale, Mesa, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Scottsdale | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Tuscaloosa are 15.1% below Scottsdale β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Tuscaloosa typical home at $228,947 is 15.1% under Scottsdale at $858,022 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Scottsdale +1.7%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Scottsdale | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 99Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 57.3" |
Climate cools by 5.3Β°F on the annual average β 69.6Β°F β 64.3Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PINNACLE PEAK, AZ US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Scottsdale | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $107,372 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 49.2 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.1% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.06 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 15.1% between Scottsdale and Tuscaloosa (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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 Tuscaloosa 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: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Tuscaloosa compare to Scottsdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $48,600 in the Scottsdale MSA, on total employment of 103,520 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Scottsdale, AZ?
The driving distance is 1672 mi and the route typically takes 29h 3m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Scottsdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 15.1% lower than Scottsdale (87.722 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 Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1672 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 Tuscaloosa compared to Scottsdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $858,022 in Scottsdale β a 73.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Scottsdale vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $107,372 in Scottsdale β a 54.8% 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· Tuscaloosa, AL.