Cleveland 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 242,169 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 49.2 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 36.7% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 46.8% | 2.0% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 9.4% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $858,307 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 450 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2150 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 72.5°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
24.3 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland 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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