Scottsdale sits on the eastern edge of Phoenix in Maricopa County, but where you land inside the city limits shapes what you’ll pay.

Key takeaway

Scottsdale is a city in central Arizona’s Valley of the Sun. If you want a Scottsdale address with room to negotiate, start with condos, where prices are falling. If you need a detached house, expect higher prices that are still rising and less negotiating room.

Who this guide is for

You’re weighing a move to the Phoenix area and want to know where Scottsdale sits, how far it is from the places you’ll drive to, and whether its home prices fit your budget.

Where is Scottsdale, AZ?

According to the City of Scottsdale, the city covers 184.5 square miles and stretches 31 miles from north to south. It’s bordered by Phoenix to the west, the Tonto National Forest to the north, the McDowell Mountains to the east, and the Salt River to the south. Tempe and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community are also close neighbors.

That long footprint puts Old Town in the southern half and leaves room for large nature reserves. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve covers more than 30,500 acres and over 230 miles of multi-use trails, and has been protected since 1994.

A “Scottsdale” mailing address doesn’t always mean the property sits inside the city limits. Pull the Maricopa County Assessor parcel record to verify the exact jurisdiction before you buy. Buyers checking local boundaries can review the Scottsdale, AZ zip codes.

How far is Scottsdale from Phoenix and nearby cities?

Loop 101 curves south through Scottsdale, providing access to downtown and linking up with Loop 202 in Tempe. State Route 51 runs further west through Phoenix, giving Scottsdale-area drivers a route toward central Phoenix and Sky Harbor Airport.

Phoenix and Sky Harbor Airport

Old Town Scottsdale is roughly 9 to 13 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The drive typically takes 15 to 25 minutes in normal traffic. Central Scottsdale to downtown Phoenix covers about 12 to 15 miles and takes 20 to 25 minutes off-peak.

Rush-hour congestion can stretch those times. Drive the route at the hour you commute before committing to an address.

Tempe and Mesa

South Scottsdale borders Tempe, putting you next to Arizona State University’s main campus. Mesa sits just beyond Tempe to the southeast.

The city’s long, narrow shape means drive times vary widely. From Scottsdale’s northern reaches, the trip south to Tempe or Mesa takes far longer than it does from Old Town, so check the drive from your specific address.

Sedona

Sedona’s red rocks are about a 2-hour drive from Scottsdale, roughly 122 to 125 miles via I-17 North. That’s a road trip, not a quick escape. Weekend traffic on I-17 can add significant time, so check current conditions before you count on easy getaways.

Scottsdale home prices by property type

For illustration only: a $600,000 asking price at the citywide sale-to-list ratio closes around $578,400, about $21,600 under list. The citywide median sale price is $889,576, but your budget decides which property types are in reach.

Single-family homes

Detached houses are the most expensive segment, with a median sale price of $1,271,993. That median is up 10.6% year over year, and 7.2% of these homes recently sold above asking. Supply is tighter than in the condo market and well-priced houses attract competition, so be ready to decide faster.

Condos and townhouses

Condos have a median sale price of $352,964, down 4.9%, with 7.9 months of supply. Fewer than 1 in 25 sold above asking in the latest 90 days (3.8%), so condo buyers are negotiating down rather than bidding up. Townhouses sit in between on price and are also seeing slight price drops.

These homes come with HOA dues. The same slow market that helps you buy can also slow your resale later. Before you go under contract, ask the HOA for current dues, reserve study results, and whether the community is FHA-approved.

How to decide if Scottsdale fits your move

If you drive to Sky Harbor or downtown Phoenix regularly, run the rush-hour test in Phoenix and Sky Harbor Airport before you shortlist an address. If weekend trips north are part of the draw, check the Sedona drive time first. A budget well under $500,000 points to condos and townhouses, where supply is deepest. If you need a detached house, read Single-family homes before you set your timeline. Reach out if you want to compare specific addresses by drive time and home type, and I can help you weigh your options.

At a glance

• All homes: median sale price $889,576, up 9.2% year over year (90 days ending Sept. 30, 2026)
• Single-family: median sale price $1,271,993, up 10.6%; 4.8 months of supply; 1,186 homes for sale (90 days ending Sept. 30, 2026)
• Condo: median sale price $352,964, down 4.9%; 7.9 months of supply; 484 for sale (90 days ending Sept. 30, 2026)
• Townhouse: median sale price $559,907, down 4.3%; 5.7 months of supply; 479 for sale (90 days ending Sept. 30, 2026)
• Median days on market: single-family 75, townhouse 92, condo 95 (90 days ending Sept. 30, 2026)
• Sale-to-list ratio: all homes 96.4%, single-family 96.4%, condo 96.3%, townhouse 96.5% (90 days ending Sept. 30, 2026)
• Median price per square foot: single-family $455, townhouse $355, condo $325, all homes $421 (90 days ending Sept. 30, 2026)

Scottsdale, AZ location FAQs

Is Scottsdale nicer than Phoenix?

Scottsdale is a separate city bordering Phoenix, with its own city government and services. The better fit depends on your budget, commute and home type, so compare specific addresses rather than city averages.

How far is Scottsdale from Tucson?

Scottsdale is approximately 116 to 120 miles from Tucson, about 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours via I-10 East. That puts Tucson outside daily-commute range.

Is Scottsdale, AZ expensive to live in?

The all-homes median sale price is up 9.2% year over year and runs $421 per square foot. Condos cost less, which lowers your cost of entry.

Where in Scottsdale is Old Town?

Old Town is in south-central Scottsdale, bounded by Chaparral Road to the north, Earll Drive to the south, 68th Street to the west, and Miller Road to the east. The area features dining, shopping and galleries.

Does Scottsdale have its own airport?

Yes. The city owns Scottsdale Airport (SDL), a general aviation reliever airport with no scheduled commercial airline service, so airline trips go through Sky Harbor.

What time zone is Scottsdale in?

Scottsdale is on Mountain Standard Time year-round. Arizona does not observe daylight saving time, so its offset from other parts of the country shifts seasonally.

Where does Scottsdale get its water?

Scottsdale draws on a mix of surface water and groundwater, and some areas use private wells. Ask the seller or utility which water provider serves the property.

What is the sales tax rate in Scottsdale, AZ?

As of July 1, 2025, the combined transaction privilege tax rate for most business activities in Scottsdale is 8.00%. That includes a 1.70% City of Scottsdale portion.

Sources

• Redfin: Data Center
• City of Scottsdale: About
• City of Scottsdale: Preserve
• AARoads: Arizona State Route 101
• Airport Shuttle of Phoenix: How far is Scottsdale from Phoenix
• Airport Shuttle of Phoenix: Phoenix Airport to Scottsdale Guide
• City of Scottsdale: Old Town Scottsdale Character Area Plan
• Wikipedia: Scottsdale Airport
• Arizona State Legislature: ARS 1-242
• City of Scottsdale: Taxes