Chandler AZ 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)
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Chandler
278,123
Chandler +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
Chandler +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Chandler
62.6%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Chandler +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
Chandler +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 242,169 | Chandler + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 49.2 | Chandler + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 11.2% | Chandler + |
| White | 62.6% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 5.2% | 2.0% | Chandler + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 5.1% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 9.4% | Chandler + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
Scottsdale
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,691 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,746 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
Chandler +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $524,013 | $858,307 | Chandler + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
Scottsdale
450
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Scottsdale
2150
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 450 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2150 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
28.2%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
Chandler +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.2% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.4% | Chandler + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.1% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Scottsdale
10.3 in
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | 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.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chandler
26.1 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while chandler offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $524,013. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Chandler. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Chandler, AZ vs New York, NYChandler, AZ vs Los Angeles, CAChandler, AZ vs Chicago, ILChandler, AZ vs Houston, TXChandler, AZ vs Phoenix, AZChandler, AZ vs Philadelphia, PA