Scottsdale, AZ Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Scottsdale, AZ: What You Need to Know

Scottsdale’s sprawling ranches have long been replaced by resorts and golf courses, but the city still calls itself The West’s Most Western Town as a nod to its Old West legacy.

Things to Do in Scottsdale

The Sonoran Desert provides a perfect landscape for all the outdoor activities Scottsdale has to offer, from hiking and horseback riding to hot-air ballooning and off-road tours. Experience the desert by visiting the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, which spans 30,500 acres and includes over 200 miles of trails. Scottsdale is also a popular golf destination with more than 200 golf courses in the area. 

Want indoor activities? Visit two different types of museums: Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, highlighting modern art, architecture, and design, and Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, featuring educational exhibitions about the Old West.

The Cost of Living in Scottsdale

The beautiful desert landscape and abundant sunshine in Scottsdale (population: 258,069) don’t come cheap. The cost of living in the city is 34.6% higher than the national average. The median gross rent in Scottsdale is $1,284. On the positive, food and transportation costs are 42.8% and 37.2% lower than the national average. On top of that, the state’s 2.59% to 4.50% income tax rate is quite low. Arizona’s sales tax rate ranges from 5.60% to 11.20%.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Downtown Scottsdale boasts of walkable streets and new housing development, from rental apartments to high-end condos. Living downtown will give you access to a vibrant cultural and nightlife scene. If you like the suburbs, take note that Scottsdale is actually considered a suburb of Phoenix. If you just want to get away from the daily hustle and bustle of Scottsdale, Chandler and Gilbert are within commuting distance, and they both are known for their topnotch schools.

Scottsdale’s Weather

Scottsdale is a top destination for people wanting to escape winter because the city gets an average of 299 sunny days per year versus the U.S. average of 205 sunny days. It gets zero snowfall and only 11 inches of rain on average annually, compared with the national average of 38 inches of rain.

The Local History

Scottsdale got its name from U.S. Army Chaplain Winfield Scott, who bought 640 acres of land in the area in 1888. Scott started a farming operation, which led to the development of the city. Newcomers were drawn mainly for agriculture at first. By the early 1900s, artists, writers, and other educated people settled in the area. The city was incorporated in 1951, which was when it adopted “The West’s Most Western Town” as its official nickname.