Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 242,169 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 49.2 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 11.7% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 76.8% | 2.0% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $858,307 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 450 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2150 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.4% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 72.5°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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