Scottsdale, AZ, known as 'The West's Most Western Town,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern urban amenities. Located in the eastern part of the Phoenix metropolitan area, Scottsdale is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Phoenix and Tempe enhance its status as a central point in the region. Scottsdale's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Scottsdale is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, the historic Old Town Scottsdale, and the scenic McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Scottsdale Waterfront to the bustling Scottsdale Fashion Square, known for its shopping and dining. Scottsdale's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Southwestern cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show and the Scottsdale Culinary Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Scottsdale's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Scottsdale Community College contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Scottsdale is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and the Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Scottsdale provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Scottsdale’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Arizona Coyotes (NHL) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Scottsdale include healthcare, education, and tourism, with significant employers such as HonorHealth and Scottsdale Unified School District driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and light rail, making commuting convenient for residents.
Amenities
Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.
Commute
The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.
Crime
This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.
Employment
With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Cost Of Living
This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.
Located in the state of Arizona, Scottsdale is a big city with a population of 261,070 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (87% White). Given that fact, Scottsdale could be considered less diverse than other cities. With an average age of 48 years, Scottsdale residents appear to be older compared to the national average. For seniors and retirees, this city presents itself as a compelling choice.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Scottsdale, Arizona. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Scottsdale and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Scottsdale to Arizona and the national average.
With a livability score of 82/100, Scottsdale is ranked #1,059 in the United States and #2 in Arizona. Clearly, Scottsdale is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. The cherry on top is that Scottsdale also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Scottsdale has higher than average scores for the following: crime (B+), education (A-), employment (A+) and housing (B+). There are some categories that Scottsdale ranks poorly for, including: cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.
If you're considering living in Scottsdale, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Scottsdale provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area. Among the enticing options for fun and exploration in Scottsdale are: Taliesin West, Taliesin West, and Scottsdale Segway Tours.
Low rates of violent crime, encompassing offenses such as murder, rape, robbery and assault, contribute significantly to a safer living environment. This reduction in crime minimizes the chances of personal harm, property theft, or violent incidents. Furthermore, low crime rates can have a positive impact on property values and the overall desirability of an area. There were 153 crimes per 100,000 residents, which signifies that Scottsdale boasts an impressively low violent crime rate that falls well below the national average.
Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Scottsdale has an unemployment rate of 2.2% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Scottsdale can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Scottsdale is actually affordable. The median home price for Scottsdale homes is $911,995, which is 192.8% higher than the Arizona average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Scottsdale, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 6.7, which is 63.4% higher than the Arizona average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Scottsdale | Arizona | National |
| Average one way commute | 22min | 25min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 72.0% | 76.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 6.1% | 10.9% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.6% | 2.0% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.7% | 1.0% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.5% | 2.0% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 17.5% | 5.7% | 4.6% |
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