City Comparison
Buckeye vs Scottsdale
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Buckeye scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Buckeye
Scottsdale
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Scottsdale is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Buckeye.
| Metric | Buckeye | Scottsdale | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,930 | +1% |
| Groceries | $450 | $420 | +7% |
| Utilities | $210 | $180 | +17% |
| Transport | $150 | $130 | +15% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,990 | $2,890 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Scottsdale offers 20% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Scottsdale delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Buckeye is estimated at
$60,000 vs $68,000 in Scottsdale.
| Metric | Buckeye | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $85,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $68,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,019 idx | 72,034 idx |
| Household Income | $99,486 | $110,886 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.2°F of each other.
| Metric | Buckeye | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.70°F | 75.90°F |
| Summer High | 106.90°F | 106.10°F |
| Winter Low | 47.40°F | 47.40°F |
| Rainfall | 10.30 in | 15.70 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 328 | 325 |
| Humidity | 28.00% | 31.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Scottsdale has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Buckeye.
Scottsdale scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Scottsdale leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Buckeye | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 51.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 54.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Scottsdale is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Buckeye.
From a growth perspective, Buckeye is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Buckeye | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,445 | 243,821 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.80% | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 49.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Buckeye
Advantages
Rapid population and economic growth momentum, ranked among the fastest-growing cities in the U.S.
More affordable housing options and larger home sizes compared to core Phoenix and Scottsdale markets
Abundant outdoor recreation access, highlighted by the White Tank Mountain Regional Park
Master-planned communities like Verrado offering high walkability, community events, and modern amenities
Low crime rates and a family-oriented suburban safety profile
Drawbacks
High car dependency and long commuter drive times for residents working in central Phoenix
Extreme summer temperatures exceeding 106°F that elevate seasonal utility and cooling costs
Limited public transportation infrastructure within the city's massive geographic footprint
Ongoing construction disruption and infrastructure strain due to rapid suburban expansion
Higher HOA fees and property valuations associated with newer master-planned developments
Scottsdale
Advantages
Median household income stands at an affluent $110,886 per year per U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Exceptional educational attainment with over 62% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
Consistently low crime rates and high safety scores relative to other major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Access to over 300 days of sunshine annually alongside premier outdoor recreation like the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Thriving job market anchored by healthcare, tourism, technology, and corporate business sectors.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and housing prices run significantly higher than the national average.
Extreme summer high temperatures averaging 106.1°F require heavy reliance on air conditioning.
High degree of car dependency outside of core walkable entertainment districts like Old Town.
Competitive real estate market makes affordable housing options scarce for middle-income earners.
Seasonal tourist influxes lead to heavy traffic congestion and crowded local amenities during peak winter months.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Buckeye
#64Arizona, USA
69.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
75.70°F
Pop. Growth
4.80%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
76
Business
72
Scottsdale
#305Arizona, USA
61.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,930
Avg Salary
$85,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
51.0/100
Sunny Days
325/yr
Avg Temp
75.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
83
Business
79
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