Last Updated on: 30th April 2025, 01:17 pm
Planning a move to Arizona but struggling to choose the right city? Many people struggle with choosing between Scottsdale vs Phoenix. Scottsdale and Phoenix are two of the biggest and fastest-growing cities in the Grand Canyon State. Scottsdale and Phoenix are both located in Arizona’s Phoenix metropolitan area, but each offers a distinct lifestyle, so the Phoenix vs Scottsdale debate is tricky.
Scottsdale is known for its upscale, luxury living, with high-end resorts, shopping, and a vibrant arts scene. Its official nickname is “The West’s Most Western Town” for its historic connections to the Old West. In contrast, Phoenix is more diverse, offering a mix of affordable housing, cultural experiences, and a wide range of dining and entertainment options. The official Phoenix nickname is “Valley of the Sun” for its sunny weather and access to the Salt River Valley. Whether you’re looking for a posh retreat or a budget-friendly urban experience, these two cities cater to different preferences and lifestyles.
How do you choose between Scottsdale and Phoenix? To help you decide where you should live, we’ve put together a comprehensive comparison of Scottsdale vs Phoenix. Here’s what to know about Scottsdale vs Phoenix.
Table of Contents
Pros & Cons of Living in Scottsdale vs Phoenix
Trying to decide whether you want to live in Scottsdale or Phoenix? You should learn about the pros and cons of living in Scottsdale AZ, and the pros and cons of living in Phoenix. This list of Scottsdale vs. Phoenix pros and cons covers some of the biggest reasons to choose one city over the other.
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Living in Scottsdale Pros
Scottsdale’s Great Schools Are an Advantage
Moving with a family or planning to have children in the future? When you compare Scottsdale vs. Phoenix schools, Scottsdale definitely comes out ahead. According to the US Census, 97.5% of residents in Scottsdale are high school graduates, compared to 84.4% in Phoenix. That’s 8.1% higher than the U.S. average! Scottsdale also has a highly educated population with 61.5% of the population holding at least a bachelor’s degree, compared to 32.3% in Phoenix.
Scottsdale has some of the best public schools in Arizona. US News ranks Sequoya Elementary School and Hopi Elementary School in the top 25 elementary schools in Arizona. US News ranks Desert Mountain High School and Chaparral High School in the top 25 high schools in Arizona.
Excellent Job Opportunities in Scottsdale
Looking to make a change in your career or explore job opportunities? Is the economy important in the Scottsdale vs Phoenix debate? Scottsdale is the place to be. WalletHub ranks Scottsdale as the best city to find a job in the United States. Scottsdale has one of the lowest unemployment rates of any major city in America. It also has a high number of paid internships and one of the highest median household incomes in America, at $107,372.
According to the City of Scottsdale Economic Development, Scottsdale contains over 15,000 businesses. Nearly 25% of Arizona corporations have their headquarters in Scottsdale, including Old Town Scottsdale and North Scottsdale. According to DataUSA, Scottsdale has over 10,000 jobs in professional services, health care, finance, and retail trade.
Phoenix also ranks well for job growth. However, it has a median household income of just $77,041 compared to $107,372 in Scottsdale — a point to consider when you compare Scottsdale vs Phoenix.
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Scottsdale’s Amazing Nightlife
You won’t be bored living in Scottsdale! The city has plenty of hip bars, lounges, and clubs catering to residents in their 20s and 30s (and those youthful at heart!). Scottsdale neighborhoods contain many different places to visit. The Entertainment District in Old Town Scottsdale has everything from day clubs with pools and country bars to exciting nightclubs with DJs. Boondocks Patio and Grill Scottsdale has a climate controlled patio and live music performances throughout the week.
Old Town Scottsdale has tons of tropical-themed destinations and fun clubs like Maya Day Club. Maya Day Club has Vegas-style pool parties during the day and becomes a nightclub at night with DJs. Want a more laid-back experience with friends? The Entertainment District boasts a boutique bowling alley, traditional pubs, cocktail lounges, and even karaoke lounges to explore. The Goodwood Tavern has a casual atmosphere and serves burgers, craft beers, and other classic dishes.
Living in Scottsdale Cons
High Housing Costs in Scottsdale Are a Drawback
What are the cons of living in Scottsdale? The main drawback to Scottsdale vs Phoenix is high housing costs. Scottsdale is one of the most expensive areas to live in Metro Phoenix with median rent and home values that far exceed the metro average. According to Redfin, the median home value in Scottsdale is $855,000 — far above the national average of $427,388. According to RentCafe, the average rent in Scottsdale is $2,057 a month, which is over $300 above the national average.
If you’re looking for affordable housing in Scottsdale, keep in mind that the median home value can be deceiving. South Scottsdale is the most affordable area of the city, with many homes for sale costing less than $400,000. North Scottsdale, Central Scottsdale, and Downtown Scottsdale have a high share of luxury homes.
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Living in Phoenix Pros
Outdoor Recreation in Phoenix Is a Big Plus
There are many pros and cons of living in Phoenix Arizona related to the outdoors. If you can withstand the heat, Phoenix is great for outdoor enthusiasts! The city has more than 180 parks and 41,000 acres of desert preserve with more than 200 miles of desert trails to explore. When the weather gets hot, you can visit 29 different public swimming pools, including ones in Downtown Phoenix.
Check out music festivals and big acts at the outdoor Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre or spend a day tubing on the Lower Salt River rapids in the Tonto National Forest. Explore South Mountain Park and Preserve, one of the country’s largest municipally maintained parks, with scenic views from Dobbins Lookout.
Enjoy Sports in Phoenix
When you compare Scottsdale vs. Phoenix, you’ll find more opportunities to enjoy sports of all varieties in the big city. The City of Phoenix maintains five 18-hole championship golf courses and three 9-hole golf courses. It’s one of just a few cities with a pro sports team in all major sports, including the Arizona Coyotes (NHL), Arizona Cardinals (NFL), Phoenix Suns (NBA), and Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB). You can even catch NASCAR events in Phoenix!
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Tons of Great Neighborhoods in Phoenix
Many people compare Downtown Scottsdale vs Phoenix based on neighborhoods. One of the advantages of living in Phoenix is that you have tons of great neighborhoods to choose from. Phoenix really has something for everyone. Coronado is a historic community with ranch, bungalow, and Spanish Colonial style homes with lots of charm.
Roosevelt Row Phoenix — or RoRo — is one of the most pedestrian-friendly Phoenix neighborhoods with a historic arts district, art galleries, boutiques, and coffee shops. Arcadia is a vibrant neighborhood known for its local stores and restaurants, including The Henry, a top breakfast restaurant.
Cons of Living in Phoenix
You’ll Rely on a Car in Phoenix
There are several pros and cons of living in Phoenix AZ about travel and public transportation. Do you have dreams of living in a city where you can walk to work, shopping, or your local park? Is walkability an important factor in Phoenix vs Scottsdale? Phoenix has a very low walkability score and it’s a very car-dependent city. This is one of the downsides of living in Phoenix that you’ll want to consider. 68.5% of Phoenix residents drive alone to work, with just 2.2% of residents using public transit.
In Phoenix, you’ll need a car for even simple errands. Even when the public transit system can work well for your commute, you probably won’t enjoy waiting for a bus for 15 to 30 minutes in temperatures topping 110 degrees in the summer.
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Phoenix Lacks Nightlife and Cultural Destinations
Phoenix lacks a lot of the excitement you’d expect for a city of its size. Downtown Phoenix comprises predominantly of businesses with few nightlife or entertainment options. In fact, you need to head to the suburbs like Scottsdale to find exciting nightlife — a unique quirk and a potential drawback of living in Phoenix. The city also has a noticeable lack of cultural attractions and cuisine, especially when comparing Phoenix vs Scottsdale. If you’re looking for excitement and entertainment, you may be better off in one of the Phoenix suburbs like Scottsdale.
Cost of Living in Scottsdale vs Phoenix
The cost of living is a big concern when you’re deciding where to live. Which city is more affordable, Phoenix or Scottsdale? Where will your money go further? Phoenix is more affordable than Scottsdale in most areas of living. But that doesn’t tell the whole story when you compare Scottsdale vs Phoenix cost of living. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Rent is 26.7% higher in Scottsdale vs Phoenix
- Restaurant prices are 1.8% lower in Scottsdale vs Phoenix
- Groceries are 0.4% lower in Scottsdale vs Phoenix
Housing costs play a big role in the cost of living in Phoenix vs Scottsdale. That’s the one area where Scottsdale is far more expensive. The median cost of Scottsdale homes for sale is nearly twice the median cost of Phoenix homes for sale. The average cost of rent in Scottsdale is $550 per month higher than the average cost of rent in Phoenix. Real estate in Phoenix vs Scottsdale is far cheaper.
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Additional Things to Consider Between Scottsdale vs Phoenix
Scottsdale and Phoenix have many things in common. Both have nearly identical weather patterns and convenient access to outdoor activities and luxury spa resorts. For those considering a short-term stay to get a feel for the area before making a move, StayAndPlay offers a variety of local lodging options, many near top-rated golf courses—perfect for anyone looking to enjoy Phoenix’s blend of relaxation, recreation, and year-round sunshine. However, you can still find differences between Scottsdale vs Phoenix. There are advantages and disadvantages to living in either city, so take a close look at Scottsdale as compared with Phoenix.
Scottsdale vs Phoenix Population
When you compare the population of Scottsdale vs Phoenix, you’ll quickly see just how different these cities are in terms of size. The population of Phoenix is 1.61 million compared to roughly 240,000 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale’s population has nothing on Phoenix, but Scottsdale is still a large city and the sixth-largest city within Greater Phoenix.
Phoenix is a more diverse city than Scottsdale. 41.8% of residents living in Phoenix identify as Hispanic or Latino, the highest percentage of any racial or ethnic demographic in Phoenix. 20.8% of Phoenix residents also identify as two or more races. Just 9.4% of Scottsdale residents identify as Hispanic or Latino, and just 8.0% identify as two or more races.
To decide whether you should live in Scottsdale or Phoenix, consider the type of lifestyle you want. If you want more space and a quieter lifestyle without sacrificing nearby amenities, Scottsdale may be a good fit. If you prefer to be in the center of the action or closer to a job in the city, Phoenix may be right for you. If diversity is important to you in Scottsdale AZ vs Phoenix, you should move to Phoenix.
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Crime Rate in Scottsdale vs Phoenix
Is safety a big concern when deciding whether to move to Scottsdale vs Phoenix? One of the benefits of living in Scottsdale is that it’s very safe — especially compared to Phoenix. Here is the Scottsdale crime rate compared to the Phoenix crime rate:
| Scottsdale | Phoenix | |
| Total crime rate per 100,000 residents | 1,345 | 3,727 |
| Violent crime rate per 100,000 residents | 233 | 825 |
| Property crime rate per 100,000 residents | 1,111 | 2,902 |
The total crime rate in Phoenix is nearly three times higher than the total crime rate in Scottsdale. The violent crime rate is nearly four times higher, and Phoenix’s murder rate is two times higher than the national average. Many people consider moving to Phoenix vs Scottsdale because of the high crime rates in Phoenix.
Commuting in Scottsdale vs Phoenix
No one wants to spend time suffering through a long commute every day. It’s a good idea to compare average commutes in Scottsdale vs Phoenix before you decide where to live.
Metro Phoenix, surprisingly, has among the best commute times in the U.S. The average commute in Phoenix is 25.7 minutes compared to 21.7 minutes for Scottsdale. The average for the Phoenix metro area is 26 minutes, so Phoenix and Scottsdale have short commutes for the Phoenix area. If you can avoid the traffic of commuting to the city for work and live in Scottsdale, your commute can be even shorter. Many people drive luxury cars through these urban areas because of the short commutes.
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Scottsdale to Phoenix Distance
You don’t have to give up the amenities of one city when you choose to live in the other. How far is it from Scottsdale to Phoenix? It is 11.4 miles from Scottsdale to Phoenix. Scottsdale is just 11 miles southwest of downtown Phoenix. You don’t have to give up the attractions of the big city if you decide to settle in Scottsdale, AZ.
Scottsdale vs Phoenix: Which Is Right for You?
While the choice between Phoenix and Scottsdale can be challenging, these two Arizona cities are close. Residents can enjoy the amenities of Phoenix vs Scottsdale. Scottsdale comes with higher housing costs but more exciting nightlife and great jobs. Phoenix offers a lower cost of living and amazing neighborhoods. When you compare Scottsdale vs Phoenix, where do you see yourself moving?
Whether you’re moving to Phoenix or Scottsdale, you can count on the affordable movers at Mentors Moving. We’ll get you there with dependable and tailored moving services to fit your needs! Call 480-376-1009 for a free quote now!
