Scottsdale 82 Exceptional
Scottsdale Livability #2 ranked city in Arizona#1,059 ranked city in the USARanks better than 96% of areas

Scottsdale, AZ - The West's Most Western Town

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.

Pros and Cons of Living in Scottsdale

PROS
  • 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.

CONS
  • 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.

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What's it like Living in Scottsdale?

Scottsdale is a large city located in the state of Arizona. The city has a population of 254,995 inhabitants. The majority of Scottsdale residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and Black. The Scottsdale population appears to be aging at a faster rate than normal. The median age is currently 48, which is on the high side when compared to most other cities.

Are you trying to figure out if living in Scottsdale is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a positive experience before relocating to any new city in Arizona, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, education, 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.

Using data and statistics Scottsdale has received a livability score of 77/100. This score is ranked in the 92nd percentile when compared to all other cities. Based on this score, Scottsdale would be considered a very livable city! This city is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Scottsdale has higher than average rankings for the following: crime (B-), employment (A+) and housing (B-). Regrettably for Scottsdale, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: cost of living (F) and education (D-).

If you're living in Scottsdale, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Scottsdale an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Taliesin West, Taliesin West, and Scottsdale Segway Tours.

The Scottsdale unemployment rate of 2.07% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Scottsdale has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Scottsdale is real estate affordability. The median home price for Scottsdale homes is $493,200, which is 178.8% 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 5.4, which is 54.3% higher than the Arizona average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Scottsdale

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Scottsdale?

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Compare Scottsdale, AZ Livability

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      Scottsdale transportation information

      Statistic Scottsdale Arizona National
      Average one way commute22min25min26min
      Workers who drive to work72.0%76.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.1%10.9%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.6%2.0%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.7%1.0%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.5%2.0%2.8%
      Working from home17.5%5.7%4.6%
      Source: The Scottsdale, AZ data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).