Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 242,169 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 49.2 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 11.2% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 29.0% | 2.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.1% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $858,307 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 450 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2150 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus 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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