Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 242,169 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 49.2 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 11.2% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 23.7% | 2.0% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 9.4% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $858,307 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Dallas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Dallas +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 72.5°F | Dallas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Dallas is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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