Cost of Living in Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale is about 26% more expensive than the national average.
What Things Cost
Compared to the US average (100)
Census ACS 2024
Census ACS 2024
BEA RPP 2023
BEA RPP 2023
Scottsdale at a Glance
On the median income of $104,893, state income tax is roughly $2,622/year.
Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.
Scottsdale is the affluent resort city adjacent to Phoenix, known for its spa resorts, art galleries, and golf courses. The cost of living is about 21.5% above the national average, driven by housing at 55.8% above. The median home at $700,000 reflects the city's positioning as a luxury desert destination. Arizona's flat 2.5% income tax is among the lowest in the nation. The economy centers on tourism, healthcare (HonorHealth, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale), technology, and financial services. Old Town Scottsdale has been transformed into an arts, dining, and nightlife destination.
How People Get Around
Source: Census ACS 2024.
Who Lives Here
Source: Census ACS 2024.
Why People Move to Scottsdale
The resort lifestyle is real for residents, not just tourists. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is the largest urban preserve in the country with 30,000+ acres of desert hiking trails. The dining scene in Old Town is excellent. The art galleries along Marshall Way rival Santa Fe. The golf is world-class (TPC Scottsdale hosts the WM Phoenix Open). Mayo Clinic's Scottsdale campus provides top-tier healthcare. Arizona's 2.5% flat income tax means high earners keep more of their income than in California, New York, or Oregon.
Neighborhoods
Old Town is the walkable core with galleries, dining, and nightlife. North Scottsdale has larger lots and mountain views with communities like DC Ranch and Grayhawk. McCormick Ranch is an established residential area with lakes. Gainey Ranch is affluent and gated. South Scottsdale is more affordable and more urban, bordering Tempe. The Pinnacle Peak area in the far north offers desert luxury. Kierland is a mixed-use development with good restaurants.
Things to Consider
The cost of living is high by Arizona standards. Summer heat is extreme, regularly exceeding 110 degrees from June through September. The city's culture skews affluent and can feel exclusive. Scottsdale is part of the sprawling Phoenix metro, meaning car dependence and freeway commuting. Water scarcity is a long-term concern for the entire region. The snowbird population means seasonal fluctuations in crowds and traffic.
Compare Scottsdale To...
Frequently Asked Questions About Scottsdale
Scottsdale has a range, but the floor is higher than most cities. South Scottsdale near the Tempe border is more affordable (condos from $300K-$400K). Central Scottsdale offers middle-market housing. North Scottsdale is where the luxury homes and country clubs concentrate. The city does skew affluent, and some areas feel exclusive, but it is possible to live in Scottsdale on a professional salary without being wealthy.
Extremely hot. Average highs in July exceed 105 degrees, and 110+ days are common. The heat is dry (not humid), which some find more tolerable, but it is still dangerous without air conditioning and hydration. Summer electricity bills for AC can exceed $300/month. Many residents spend July and August traveling to cooler locations.
Different, not universally better. Scottsdale has more upscale dining, better hiking access (McDowell Sonoran Preserve), and a more polished aesthetic. Phoenix is larger, more diverse, more affordable, and has a growing urban core. Scottsdale is where you go for resort-style living. Phoenix is where you go for urban energy at a lower price. They share a metro and most residents move between both cities freely.