salaryRent is higher than in 79% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.6 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. It is a highly educated city: 61.9% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $91,480 a year. That is $44 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Arizona cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Arizona. It is number 80 of 93 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Scottsdale with other big cities
Compare Scottsdale to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Scottsdale?
Share of households by yearly income. 44.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Scottsdale
| Size | Scottsdale | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,910 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,894 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,188 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,660 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Scottsdale overall?
Everyday prices in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro area are 3% above the U.S. average (index 103.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Scottsdale
Life in Scottsdale
What jobs pay in Scottsdale
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $144,490 | 19.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $136,270 | 20.1% |
| Lawyer | $135,670 | 20.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $134,650 | 20.4% |
| Software Developer | $131,750 | 20.8% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,770 | 26.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $102,520 | 26.8% |
| Registered Nurse | $100,830 | 27.2% |
| Operations Manager | $98,610 | 27.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $90,330 | 30.4% |
| Police Officer | $85,050 | 32.3% |
| Accountant | $80,820 | 34.0% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $78,080 | 35.1% |
| Market Research Analyst | $74,590 | 36.8% |
| Plumber | $63,750 | 43.0% |
| Firefighter | $61,780 | 44.4% |
| Electrician | $61,210 | 44.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $61,170 | 44.9% |
| Carpenter | $60,320 | 45.5% |
| Truck Driver | $59,770 | 45.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,180 | 46.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $47,530 | 57.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,830 | 58.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,410 | 59.1% |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,290 | 60.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $44,950 | 61.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $39,170 | 70.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,960 | 76.3% |
| Cashier | $34,920 | 78.6% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Scottsdale?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,193 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $789,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $78,980 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Scottsdale, AZ?
Renting in Scottsdale costs a median of about $2,287 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Arizona median is $1,671.
How much do I need to make to live in Scottsdale?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $91,480 a year, or $44 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Scottsdale cheap or expensive?
Scottsdale is rated OK: rent takes 22.9% of the typical household income of $119,591. It ranks 80th cheapest of 93 Arizona cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Scottsdale?
The median homeowner in Scottsdale pays $2,956 a year in property taxes, about 0.37% of the median home value.
Is Scottsdale more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 3% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Scottsdale?
The median home value in Scottsdale is $789,800, about 6.6 times the typical yearly household income.
243,821 people live in Scottsdale. Numbers are typical (middle) values.