Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Durham
44.0%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 242,169 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 49.2 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 11.2% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 34.4% | 2.0% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 5.1% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 9.4% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Scottsdale
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $858,307 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Durham, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 72.5°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Durham, NC | 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 durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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%.
Compare More Cities
Durham, NC vs New York, NYDurham, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Durham, NCDurham, NC vs Houston, TXDurham, NC vs Phoenix, AZDurham, NC vs Philadelphia, PA