Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 242,169 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 49.2 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 72.3% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 5.8% | 2.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 9.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,120 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $858,307 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 450 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 72.5°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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