Area comparison
McCormick Ranch vs. Central Scottsdale: master plan, lots, homes and HOAs
Both are in the City of Scottsdale, so the main differences are the plan and the HOAs. McCormick Ranch is a single established master plan with greenbelt paths, lakes and common HOAs, mostly from the 1970s to the 1990s, while Central Scottsdale is a mix of established neighborhoods near Shea Boulevard and the 101, from the 1970s to the 2000s, where HOAs vary. Their market figures come from different ZIP codes, and McCormick Ranch's 85258 also covers neighboring areas.
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Confirm the specifics against your own contract and with your own attorney, tax professional or other advisers.
McCormick Ranch and Central Scottsdale at a glance
| Factor | McCormick Ranch | Central Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Median list price | $1,450,000RentCast, ZIP 85258, October 2026 to dateUpdated | $1,275,000RentCast, ZIP 85260, October 2026 to dateUpdated |
| Days on market (listings) | 34 daysRentCast, ZIP 85258, October 2026 to dateUpdated | 38 daysRentCast, ZIP 85260, October 2026 to dateUpdated |
| Lots | Typical suburban lots | Typical suburban, with some larger lots |
| Typical homes | 1970s–90s single-family, many updated | 1970s–2000s, many remodeled |
| HOAs | Common | Varies by neighborhood |
| Setting | Greenbelt, lakes, paths | Central, close to the 101 and Shea |
| Walkability | Moderate; paths connect neighborhoods | Low to moderate |
Market figures: RentCast, from single-family listings (list prices, not closed sales) in each area’s main ZIP code. “To date” means the month so far. Areas that share a ZIP code show the same figures. Any figures shown are past results, not a forecast. Descriptions cover places and housing, not who lives there.
This covers places and housing. Boundaries are approximate, and rules change: check the parcel, its CC&Rs and the current code for any specific home.
Municipality
Both areas are within the City of Scottsdale, so the same city zoning, permits and short-term rental rules apply to both. Check any parcel near the city’s edge. Choosing between them doesn’t change the city. It can change which association’s rules apply.
How each came about
- McCormick Ranch is one master plan. According to the McCormick Ranch Property Owners’ Association, Kaiser-Aetna bought the 4,236-acre ranch in 1970, and the association’s articles were recorded on September 21, 1972.
- Central Scottsdale isn’t one plan. It’s a group of established neighborhoods near Shea Boulevard and the 101, so what’s true of one subdivision may not hold for the next.
Lots
- McCormick Ranch: typical suburban lots.
- Central Scottsdale: typical suburban lots, with some larger ones.
Homes and when they were built
- McCormick Ranch: single-family homes from the 1970s to the 1990s, many of them updated.
- Central Scottsdale: homes from the 1970s to the 2000s, many of them remodeled.
A home built before 1978 needs the federal lead-based paint disclosure when sold, so check the year built in the older parts of either area.
HOAs
- McCormick Ranch: common.
- Central Scottsdale: varies by neighborhood.
In McCormick Ranch, ask which associations a home belongs to, and what each one charges. Arizona’s resale disclosure now calls for a statement when a property is subject to more than one association’s report and fee (A.R.S. § 33-1806). In Central Scottsdale, the first question is whether the home has an HOA at all.
Setting
- McCormick Ranch: a greenbelt, lakes and paths, with easy access to Old Town.
- Central Scottsdale: central, close to the 101 and Shea.
Getting around
- McCormick Ranch: moderate walkability, with paths connecting its neighborhoods.
- Central Scottsdale: low to moderate walkability.
The City’s Scottsdale Trolley runs three fare-free circulator routes that connect with nine regional bus routes and one express route. Routes change, so check the current map against a specific address.
ZIP codes
Each area’s market figures come from its main ZIP code: 85258 for McCormick Ranch and 85260 for Central Scottsdale, which also includes 85259. The two areas don’t share one on this site, but 85258 also covers neighboring areas, so its figures aren’t a McCormick Ranch-only measure. Those figures are RentCast’s median list prices and days on market for single-family listings, not closed sales, and the table above dates them.
Neighborhood names and ZIP codes don’t settle where a home sits. Look up the parcel with the Maricopa County Assessor, and check its subdivision and recorded documents.
See them side by side
The table above comes from the same records as each area page. The compare tool shows this pair, or any other two areas. More detail is on the McCormick Ranch and Central Scottsdale pages. To talk through specific streets and homes, book a consultation.
Sources
- McCormick Ranch Property Owners’ Association, community history, accessed October 30, 2026mrpoa.com
- A.R.S. § 33-1806, planned community resale disclosures, accessed October 30, 2026azleg.gov
- City of Scottsdale, transit system (updated October 28, 2026), accessed October 30, 2026scottsdaleaz.gov
- Maricopa County Assessor, parcel search, accessed October 20, 2026mcassessor.maricopa.gov