Arlington TX vs Scottsdale AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 242,169 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 49.2 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 11.2% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 22.4% | 2.0% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 5.1% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 9.4% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $858,307 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Arlington +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Arlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Arlington +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 72.5°F | Arlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Arlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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