Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 49.2 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 11.2% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 21.6% | 2.0% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 5.1% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 9.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $858,307 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 9.4% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Gainesville +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 72.5°F | Gainesville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 23.2 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 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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