Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Boca Raton +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Boca Raton +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Boca Raton +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Boca Raton +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 49.2 | Boca Raton + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 11.2% | Boca Raton + |
| White | 77.2% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 5.7% | 2.0% | Boca Raton + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 9.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Boca Raton +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Boca Raton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Boca Raton +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $858,307 | Boca Raton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Scottsdale
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 26.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Scottsdale
10.3 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while boca Raton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $562,670. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 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, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
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