Escondido CA 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Escondido +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Scottsdale
2.0%
Scottsdale +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 49.2 | Escondido + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 11.2% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 0.6% | 2.0% | Scottsdale + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 5.1% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 9.4% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Escondido +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $858,307 | Escondido + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while escondido offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $849,335. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Escondido. 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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