Tempe vs. Scottsdale: what's the real difference? Scale and price. U.S. Census Bureau data puts Scottsdale's median owner-occupied home value at $789,800, compared with $455,400 in Tempe. Tempe packs about 4,521 people per square mile into roughly 40 square miles, while Scottsdale spreads about 1,312 per square mile across 184.
Which one fits your life? Tempe offers a compact, transit-connected city built around ASU's Tempe campus, Tempe Town Lake and light rail. Scottsdale offers range, from walkable Old Town to quiet desert neighborhoods near the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Most people decide on the commute and the kind of street they want to come home to.
Data note: Population, area, housing and commute figures come from U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (2020 Census, July 2025 estimates and the 2020-2024 American Community Survey). Tax rates come from the City of Scottsdale and the Arizona Department of Revenue. No MLS or Cromford data is included in this post.
Tempe vs. Scottsdale by the Numbers
People and Space
- Population, 2020 Census: Scottsdale 241,361 · Tempe 180,587
- Population estimate, July 2025: Scottsdale 243,006 · Tempe 190,571
- Land area: Scottsdale 184.00 sq. mi. · Tempe 39.94 sq. mi.
- People per square mile (2020): Scottsdale 1,311.7 · Tempe 4,521.2
Housing Costs
- Owner-occupied housing rate: Scottsdale 67.0% · Tempe 42.3%
- Median owner-occupied home value: Scottsdale $789,800 · Tempe $455,400
- Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage: Scottsdale $2,577 · Tempe $1,828
- Median gross rent: Scottsdale $2,013 · Tempe $1,743
Getting to Work
- Mean commute: Scottsdale 21.6 minutes · Tempe 20.9 minutes
Housing and commute rows are 2020-2024 ACS 5-year estimates in 2024 dollars, so they lag today's market.
Home Values and Housing Mix
Scottsdale
- Higher median value at $789,800
- More owners: 67.0% of occupied homes are owner-occupied
- Wide range: older ranch homes in south Scottsdale, condos near Old Town and larger desert properties farther north
Tempe
- Lower median value at $455,400
- More renters: 42.3% owner-occupied, so most occupied homes are rented
- Compact: condos, townhomes and established single-family neighborhoods within a smaller footprint
Citywide medians hide a lot. A south Scottsdale condo and a north Scottsdale estate sit in the same citywide number, so compare the specific neighborhoods you're considering. Ask for recent sales on the exact streets you like, plus HOA dues, insurance quotes and the age of the roof and HVAC, before you decide one city is "cheaper." Owner costs in the table, $2,577 a month in Scottsdale versus $1,828 in Tempe for homes with a mortgage, reflect mortgages taken out at very different rates over many years.
Taxes You'll Notice
Sales Tax
- Scottsdale: 1.7% city rate since July 1, 2025 (Proposition 490), 8.0% combined
- Tempe: 1.8% city retail rate on the ADOR January 2026 table, about 8.1% combined
Scottsdale says nearly 9% of its sales tax revenue goes toward buying land for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, with similar shares for parks and recreation.
Property Tax
Rates depend on the school district and other taxing districts where a home sits, not just the city. Ask for the parcel's actual bill before you compare.
Getting Around
Tempe
Tempe sits on the Valley Metro light rail line, with the Tempe Streetcar and the Orbit neighborhood circulators. The city's small footprint helps: the mean commute is 20.9 minutes.
Scottsdale
Scottsdale is more car-oriented, with a 21.6-minute mean commute. The Scottsdale Trolley runs three fare-free circulator routes, Monday-Friday, 5:45 a.m. to 7:45 p.m., and connects with Valley Metro and the Tempe Orbit.
Daily Life
Tempe
- ASU's Tempe campus, with its arts venues and events
- Tempe Town Lake for paddling, running paths and festivals
- Mill Avenue dining and nightlife
Scottsdale
- Old Town dining, galleries and the Waterfront
- The Greenbelt linking parks and paths through the city
- McDowell Sonoran Preserve trailheads in the north
- Spring training at Scottsdale Stadium and Salt River Fields
My Take
“I sell in both cities, and the question I ask first isn't 'Tempe or Scottsdale?' It's 'What does a Tuesday look like for you?' If you want to walk or ride rail to work and dinner, Tempe makes it easy. If you want a quieter street, more room and Old Town close by, Scottsdale usually wins. Some of my favorite south Scottsdale neighborhoods sit just minutes from Tempe, so you can have a bit of both.”
— Elizabeth Vijan, Tackett Team, eXp Realty
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tempe or Scottsdale more expensive?
Scottsdale, with a $789,800 median home value versus $455,400 in Tempe.
Is Tempe bigger than Scottsdale?
No. Scottsdale has more residents and about 4.6 times the land area.
Is sales tax higher in Tempe or Scottsdale?
Tempe, slightly: about 8.1% combined versus 8.0% in Scottsdale.
What's the difference between living in Tempe and Scottsdale?
Tempe is compact and transit-connected; Scottsdale is larger and more spread out.
Deciding Between Tempe and Scottsdale?
I'll tour both with you, side by side, and help you compare the neighborhoods that fit your commute and budget.
Elizabeth Vijan | Tackett Team, eXp Realty
Scottsdale & Phoenix Real Estate Specialist
Talk With Elizabeth · Call or text 602-885-7752
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Scottsdale and Tempe · City of Scottsdale: Taxes · Arizona Department of Revenue: TPT rate tables, Jan. 2026 (PDF) · City of Scottsdale: Transit System
Disclaimer: Census figures are estimates with margins of error and lag current market conditions. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Tackett Team, eXp Realty · Get in touch