City Comparison

Gresham vs Scottsdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Gresham

Oregon
128
Expensive
$459,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$69,600
Median Income

Scottsdale

Arizona
123
Expensive
$580,000
Median Home
$2,000/mo
Median Rent
$92,298
Median Income

The Verdict

4.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 4.1%, with Scottsdale being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Gresham has equivalent purchasing power to $72,070 in Scottsdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
172
Gresham
162
Scottsdale
Groceries
101
Gresham
103
Scottsdale
Utilities
96
Gresham
96
Scottsdale
Transportation
126
Gresham
103
Scottsdale
Healthcare
103
Gresham
95
Scottsdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Gresham has the same purchasing power as $72,070 in Scottsdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Scottsdale equals $78,049 in Gresham.

Living in Gresham vs Scottsdale

Housing Costs

Gresham's housing index of 172 is higher Scottsdale's 162, translating to median home prices of $459,000 vs $580,000. The $121,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,860 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,450/mo in Gresham compared to $2,000/mo in Scottsdale, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Gresham and 103 in Scottsdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Gresham vs $489/month in Scottsdale. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Gresham and 96 in Scottsdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Gresham vs $384 in Scottsdale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Gresham and 95 in Scottsdale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $69,600 in Gresham and $92,298 in Scottsdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $75,039 respectively. Scottsdale residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,624/month to housing in Gresham vs $2,154/month in Scottsdale. In Gresham, median rent of $1,450/mo fits within this budget. In Scottsdale, median rent of $2,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scottsdale is 4.1% more affordable overall with an index of 123 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Gresham has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $72,070 in Scottsdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Gresham's housing index is 172 with median homes at $459,000, while Scottsdale's is 162 with median homes at $580,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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