Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 242,169 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 49.2 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 49.4% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 38.7% | 2.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $858,307 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 450 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2150 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 72.5°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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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