Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Houston
35.5%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 242,169 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 49.2 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 11.2% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 22.9% | 2.0% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 5.1% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 9.4% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $858,307 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston 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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