Scottsdale, AZ Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Scottsdale, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Scottsdale →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Scottsdale counts roughly 240,537 residents, and the median household brings in $104,197 annually — +45% relative to the cities in our dataset, putting incomes here above the pack.
In Scottsdale, the median home is valued at $651,800 — above the median across the cities we track (+100%) — and typical rent runs $1,768 a month. Factor in mortgage rates and property taxes when sizing up whether buying pencils out.
Buying a typical home in Scottsdale would take about 6.3 years of median household income — a high multiple that points to real affordability pressure. Prices in Scottsdale have barely moved, inching up 0.65% over the past year. FEMA's National Risk Index puts Scottsdale at Very High for overall natural-hazard risk, a factor that can push home insurance costs up.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,768/mo in Scottsdale would take 20.4% of your income.
$837/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($651,800) would take 40.1% of your income toward principal & interest.
$1,048/mo over the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Scottsdale
Median home value is $651,800 and median gross rent is $1,768/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Maricopa rose 0.65% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,839/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Scottsdale's overall natural-hazard risk as Very High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Scottsdale reported a violent crime rate of 175.1 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Scottsdale
Planning a move to Scottsdale? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Scottsdale, AZ?
- The US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022) puts Scottsdale's median home value at $651,800, median rent at $1,768/month, and median household income at $104,197.
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Scottsdale?
- At Scottsdale's median rent of $1,768/month, the 30%-of-income guideline suggests an annual income around $70,720 to stay comfortably housed. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Scottsdale.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Scottsdale?
- Buying at Scottsdale's median home value of $651,800 takes about $149,129 a year in principal-and-interest income (20% down, 30-year fixed, current mortgage rates), compared with roughly $70,720 a year to comfortably rent at the median $1,768/month. Down payment and expected length of stay usually settle the question.
- Is Scottsdale safe?
- The most recent FBI figures (2025) show a violent crime rate of 175.1 per 100,000 residents in Scottsdale.
See the full salary breakdown for Scottsdale →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Scottsdale's.