True Cost of Renting in Scottsdale

Scottsdale is the Valley's luxury address, known for its resort hotels, golf courses, Old Town nightlife, and the Scottsdale Fashion Square retail corridor. Rents run 20–30% above Phoenix proper for comparable units, and resort-style apartment buildings frequently bundle amenity fees ($100–200/mo) into the cost structure. Summer APS electric bills are just as severe as Phoenix — premium buildings just have better insulation.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Old Town Scottsdale

Studio:
$1,800/mo
1 Bed:
$2,200/mo
2 Bed:
$3,100/mo

Walkable entertainment and arts district; restaurants, galleries, and the Thursday ArtWalk. Light Rail terminus at Scottsdale/Rural Road. New luxury apartments with resort pools and amenity packages of $100–200/mo. APS electric for newer buildings: $130–180/mo summer.

South Scottsdale / Tempe border

Studio:
$1,500/mo
1 Bed:
$1,800/mo
2 Bed:
$2,500/mo

Most affordable Scottsdale area near the Tempe border and ASU; mix of older and newer apartment complexes. Light Rail access to Tempe and Downtown Phoenix. Good value relative to North Scottsdale. Still subject to full APS summer electric costs.

North Scottsdale / DC Ranch area

1 Bed:
$2,500/mo
2 Bed:
$3,500/mo

Luxury resort-style apartments in master-planned communities near Scottsdale Road and the 101 freeway; resort pools, fitness centers, and concierge amenities. Amenity packages of $150–250/mo are standard. Car-dependent. Premium demographic and finishes.

Utility Providers

Electric
Arizona Public Service (APS) or Salt River Project (SRP) depending on location
Water
City of Scottsdale Water
Internet
Cox Communications, CenturyLink/Lumen, Starlink (some areas)

Commute & Transportation

Scottsdale's Light Rail connection ends at the Old Town/Tempe border — most of Scottsdale is car-dependent. The 101 freeway (Pima/Price) loops east Scottsdale and provides efficient access to Tempe, Chandler (tech corridor), and Phoenix. The Scottsdale Airpark (Scottsdale Airport area) is Arizona's largest general aviation airport and houses major employers including GoDaddy, General Dynamics, and a cluster of aerospace firms. North Scottsdale's DC Ranch and Kierland areas house significant financial services and tech employment. Mayo Clinic's Scottsdale campus is a major healthcare employer in northeast Scottsdale.

Rental Market Overview

Scottsdale commands Arizona's highest rents outside Paradise Valley. The resort-lifestyle positioning means amenity fees are both higher and more common than Phoenix proper — expect to add $100–200/month to the base rent for 'required' amenity packages at Class A buildings. Electric utility varies by ZIP code: some areas are served by SRP rather than APS — SRP rates are generally lower. Confirm your utility provider when comparing apartments. The Airpark employment base and Mayo Clinic drive demand from high-income renters, supporting strong rent levels even during Phoenix metro softening. Renters insurance averages $18–25/month.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Scottsdale

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Renting in Scottsdale: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Scottsdale?
One-bedroom apartments in Scottsdale range from $1,800/month in South Scottsdale / Tempe border to $2,500/month in North Scottsdale / DC Ranch area. Two-bedroom units range from $2,500 to $3,500/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Scottsdale?
In Scottsdale, electricity is provided by Arizona Public Service (APS) or Salt River Project (SRP) depending on location, water by City of Scottsdale Water, and common internet providers include Cox Communications, CenturyLink/Lumen, Starlink (some areas). Check whether your lease includes water or trash — some buildings bundle these into rent while others charge separately. Always ask the leasing office for the average monthly utility bill before signing.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Scottsdale?
South Scottsdale / Tempe border is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Scottsdale, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,800/month. Most affordable Scottsdale area near the Tempe border and ASU; mix of older and newer apartment complexes. Light Rail access to Tempe and Downtown Phoenix. Good value relative to North Scottsdale. Still subject to full APS summer electric costs. Remember to factor in commute costs and parking fees when comparing neighborhoods — a cheaper base rent farther from work may cost more overall.
Is Scottsdale expensive to rent in?
Scottsdale commands Arizona's highest rents outside Paradise Valley. The resort-lifestyle positioning means amenity fees are both higher and more common than Phoenix proper — expect to add $100–200/month to the base rent for 'required' amenity packages at Class A buildings. Use RentCompare to calculate the true all-in cost for any apartment in Scottsdale — base rent alone does not tell the full story.

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