Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Boise +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Scottsdale
81.8%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Scottsdale
2.0%
Scottsdale +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 49.2 | Boise + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 83.6% | 81.8% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 2.0% | Scottsdale + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 9.4% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $858,307 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Boise, ID | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 450 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2150 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Scottsdale
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Scottsdale
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Scottsdale
12.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Scottsdale
6.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Scottsdale
7.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 26.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 72.5°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 23.2 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 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).
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