City Comparison
Tempe vs Scottsdale
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Scottsdale scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tempe
Scottsdale
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Scottsdale is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Tempe.
| Metric | Tempe | Scottsdale | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,939 | $1,930 | 0% |
| Groceries | $440 | $420 | +5% |
| Utilities | $195 | $180 | +8% |
| Transport | $115 | $130 | -12% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,929 | $2,890 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Scottsdale offers 11% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tempe delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Tempe is estimated at
$62,000 vs $68,000 in Scottsdale.
| Metric | Tempe | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $85,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $68,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,381 idx | 72,034 idx |
| Household Income | $79,663 | $110,886 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.39999999999999°F of each other.
| Metric | Tempe | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.30°F | 75.90°F |
| Summer High | 106.60°F | 106.10°F |
| Winter Low | 47.50°F | 47.40°F |
| Rainfall | 15.40 in | 15.70 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 327 | 325 |
| Humidity | 31.00% | 31.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Tempe scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tempe leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tempe | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 51.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 54.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Scottsdale is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Tempe.
From a growth perspective, Tempe 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 | Tempe | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,571 | 243,821 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.53% | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 30.0 | 49.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tempe
Advantages
Median property value in Tempe stands at $455,400 with steady regional appreciation per U.S. Census data.
Exceptional multi-modal transit featuring the Valley Metro Light Rail and free Orbit circulators connecting directly to Sky Harbor Airport.
Abundant outdoor recreation centered around Tempe Town Lake, Hayden Butte, and over 320 sunny days per year.
Thriving high-tech and educational economy driven by Arizona State University and major corporate employers.
Vibrant dining, arts, and cultural scene anchored by Downtown Tempe and Mill Avenue establishments.
Drawbacks
Intense summer heat with average daily highs exceeding 106°F requires high seasonal cooling expenditures.
Average monthly rent of $1,939 creates affordability challenges for lower-income renters and entry-level workers.
Property crime rates, particularly bicycle and vehicle thefts, are elevated around high-density student and entertainment zones.
Housing inventory for single-family homes is competitive, leading to fast-paced bidding and limited starter inventory.
Traffic congestion during peak university semesters and major stadium events impacts primary arterial corridors.
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.
Tempe
#412Arizona, USA
57.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,939
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
54.0/100
Sunny Days
327/yr
Avg Temp
76.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.53%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
79
Business
80
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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