Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 49.2 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 11.2% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 7.4% | 2.0% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 5.1% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 9.4% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Scottsdale
$107,372
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Scottsdale
61.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $107,372 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 61.5% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Scottsdale
$858,307
Scottsdale +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $858,307 | Scottsdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Scottsdale
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Scottsdale
6.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 26.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 6.3% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 72.5°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while scottsdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $858,307. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. 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, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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