Scottsdale, Arizona
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Scottsdale.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Scottsdale?
Scottsdale, AZ has a MapsToIt housing cost index of 188 (well above the U.S. housing-cost baseline; 100 = U.S. avg). Median home value is about $709,900 and median rent about $1,910, against national ACS medians of $303,400 and $1,348. Median household income is roughly $107,372. Typical commute is 23 minutes; summer highs average 105°F. Violent-offense rates run about 159.3 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 188U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $709,900U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,910U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $107,372U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.7%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 23 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 159.3per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 105°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Scottsdale compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 246,170City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $107,372Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year37% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 188ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year88% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $709,900City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year134% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,910City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year42% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.7%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 23 min8% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 4011% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 159.3annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)73% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 1957.7annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)37% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 105°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals18.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 47°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals13.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 7.2 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals78% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 332As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals24% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Scottsdale grew 13.1% from 217,638 in 2010 to 246,170 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Scottsdale expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Scottsdale runs 88 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 188 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $709,900 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,910 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Scottsdale?
Budget first around $1,910/month rent or $709,900 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $709,900
- Median rent $1,910/month
- Median household income $107,372
What is the job market like in Scottsdale?
Labor-market context for Scottsdale: unemployment 4.7% and median income $107,372. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 4.7% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $107,372
How long is the typical commute in Scottsdale?
Plan on roughly 23 minutes each way in Scottsdale. Walk Score estimates around 40 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 23 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 40/100
Is Scottsdale safer than similar U.S. cities?
Scottsdale's FBI-derived violent rate (~159.3/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 159.3 per 100k
- Property 1957.7 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Scottsdale?
Scottsdale's climate profile: 105°F summer peaks, 47°F winter mornings, 7.2" annual rainfall, and 332 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 105°F
- Winter low 47°F
- 7.2 in rain · 332 sunny days
About 246,170 people live in Scottsdale, AZ. Median household income is roughly $107,372, while the ACS housing-cost index sits near 188 — well above the national housing-cost baseline (100 ≈ U.S. average). Entry home prices around $709,900 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Scottsdale is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Scottsdale with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Desert heat and monsoon bursts define the outdoor calendar. Summer highs near 105°F make shade, pools, and strong A/C practical necessities. Plan on roughly 23 minutes each way for a typical commute; Walk Score is about 40. Unemployment recently ran near 4.7%, broadly in line with many large U.S. counties. Violent-offense rates near 159.3 per 100k compare favorably with many peer metros, though local blocks still differ.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Scottsdale city, 1600000US0465000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Maricopa County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00023183 PHOENIX SKY HARBOR INTL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10