Nashville TN 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)
Nashville, TN
Tennessee · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$436,355
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
81.8%
Black
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 242,169 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 49.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 81.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
$107,372
Per Capita Income
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
$82,697
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashville
$59,097
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
3.4%
Poverty Rate
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
7.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
61.5%
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $107,372 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $82,697 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 61.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashville
$436,355
Nashville +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
67.6%
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $436,355 | $858,307 | Nashville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 67.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashville
639
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashville
2350
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 450 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
12.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
6.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
7.4%
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 26.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashville
47.9 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.9 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Nashville
8.9 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashville
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Nashville
N/A
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $436,355. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Nashville. Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Nashville, TN vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Nashville, TNChicago, IL vs Nashville, TNHouston, TX vs Nashville, TNNashville, TN vs Phoenix, AZNashville, TN vs Philadelphia, PA