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ZIP Code · AZ

ZIP 85251

Pop. 40,780·Maricopa County·47th most expensive ZIP in Arizona
Median rent (all units)
$2,020/mo
Year-over-Year
+6.2%
Month-over-Month
+1.8%
vs US Median
+$55
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 85251 · $2,020
More expensive than 62% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,740
1 BR
$1,890
2 BR
$2,200
3 BR
$2,930
4 BR+
$3,250
Research median
$2,200/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$24,240/yr
At $2,020/mo median
Location
StateAZ
CountyMaricopa County
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 6.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+6.2% YoY, +1.8% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 85251 (Scottsdale, AZ) is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 60.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
40,780
Median income
$92,851
Median age
38.5
Renters
51.5%
Age distribution
35.4%
22.8%
12.7%
19.2%
Under 189.9%
18–3435.4%
35–5422.8%
55–6412.7%
65+19.2%
Gender
50.1%
49.9%
Male50.1%
Female49.9%
Race & ethnicity
78.1%
14.9%
White78.1%
Black2.6%
Hispanic14.9%
Asian2.4%
Other2%
Education (25+)
13.4%
22.3%
60.7%
No HS diploma3.6%
HS diploma13.4%
Some college22.3%
Bachelor's+60.7%
Housing tenure
48.5%
51.5%
Owner48.5%
Renter51.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 85251 in Scottsdale, AZ has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,538 → $2,020
up 31.3%
Income
$78,733 → $92,851
up 17.9%
Population
40,017 → 40,780
up 1.9%
Renter share
53.6% → 51.5%
-2.1 pts
Bachelor's+
57.4% → 60.7%
+3.3 pts
Median age
37.4 → 38.5
+1.1 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in ZIP 85251 in Scottsdale, AZ has increased by $482 per month, settling near $2,020 after starting the period at $1,538. Median household income grew from $78,733 to $92,851 between 2021 and 2024, a 17.9% shift. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 13.4 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 40,017 to 40,780 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.9% change. About 51.5% of households rent today, against 53.6% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 57.4% to 60.7%. Taken together, the five-year picture in ZIP 85251 in Scottsdale, AZ reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

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About renting in ZIP 85251

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 85251 covers Scottsdale, AZ. The median rent here is $2,020/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,890/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,200/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($92,851/yr), ZIP 85251 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 85251?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 85251 (Scottsdale, AZ) is $2,020. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 85251 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 85251's median rent of $2,020/mo is $55 (3%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 85251 compare to other ZIPs in Arizona?

ZIP 85251 is one of the pricier ZIP codes in Arizona, ranking #47 out of 185 ZIPs tracked at $2,020/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 85251?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $81,000/year (~$39/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,020/mo in ZIP 85251. The local median household income is $92,851/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 85251?

Rent in ZIP 85251 has increased 6.2% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Is ZIP 85251 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 85251 is considered affordable for renters. At $2,020/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($92,851/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 85251 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 85251 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 51.5% of ZIP 85251 households are renters, while 48.5% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, ZIP 85251 has a strong rental market.

How does ZIP 85251 compare to the rest of Scottsdale?

ZIP 85251 is more affordable than Scottsdale overall. At $2,020/mo, it's $153 below the Scottsdale citywide median of $2,173/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 85251 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 85251 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,020/mo, rent takes ~26% of ZIP 85251's median household income ($92,851/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 85251 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.5%
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 85251 (Scottsdale, AZ)

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