City Comparison

Scottsdale vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Scottsdale

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

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

41.4%

Springdale is 41.4% less expensive than Scottsdale overall. A household earning $75,000 in Scottsdale would need approximately $53,049 in Springdale to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
162
Scottsdale
86
Springdale
Groceries
103
Scottsdale
97
Springdale
Utilities
96
Scottsdale
93
Springdale
Transportation
103
Scottsdale
91
Springdale
Healthcare
95
Scottsdale
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Scottsdale has the same purchasing power as $53,049 in Springdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $106,034 in Scottsdale.

Living in Scottsdale vs Springdale

Housing Costs

Scottsdale's housing index of 162 is higher Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $580,000 vs $299,000. The $281,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,264 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,000/mo in Scottsdale compared to $1,000/mo in Springdale, a monthly difference of $1,000.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Scottsdale and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Scottsdale vs $461/month in Springdale. Springdale offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Scottsdale and 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Scottsdale vs $372 in Springdale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 95 in Scottsdale and 82 in Springdale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $92,298 in Scottsdale and $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,039 and $71,379 respectively. Scottsdale residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,154/month to housing in Scottsdale vs $1,449/month in Springdale. In Scottsdale, median rent of $2,000/mo fits within this budget. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 76 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale is 41.4% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 123.
A $75,000 salary in Scottsdale has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $53,049 in Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Scottsdale's housing index is 162 with median homes at $580,000, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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