City profile
Scottsdale, AZ
An upscale desert community with world-class spas, golf, and arts — luxury retirement living.
Climate
Climate type
Dry desert
Winter avg
56°F
Summer avg
94°F
Sunny days / yr
299
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$650,000
Typical monthly housing
$3,200
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
120
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.53%
- State income tax (top)
- 2.5%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 8.38%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Very High · county score 100/100
Top hazards: Heat wave, Riverine flooding, Wildfire
Nearest major airport
6 mi to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Competitive / purple · 48% Democratic / 51% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
243,821
Growth since 2019
-2.7%
Median age
49.0
Residents 65+
26.1%
Median household income
$110,886
Income growth since 2019
+25.7%
Black household income
$67,598
Home ownership
67.0%
Poverty rate
7.3%
Poverty rate, 65+
7.5%
Race & ethnicity: Black 2.1% · White 77.1% · Hispanic 10.6% · Asian 4.9% · Other 5.3%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
175 · 47% below the national average
Property crime
1,753 · 13% above the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Scottsdale Police Department. State average: violent 385, property 1,543.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸AZ is gaining retirees — a sign of strong retiree services and community
- ▸Home prices are softening in 2026 — more room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: extreme heat, water scarcity
Highlights
- Very safe community
- World-class spas and golf
- Beautiful desert landscapes
- Fine dining and art galleries
Trade-offs
- Very expensive
- Very small Black community
- Extreme summer heat
- Isolated feel
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.