El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 242,169 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 49.2 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 11.2% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 3.6% | 2.0% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 9.4% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $858,307 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
El Paso +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 72.5°F | El Paso + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
25.1 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, El Paso 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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