Oklahoma City OK 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 242,169 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 49.2 | Oklahoma City + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 11.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 58.4% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 13.4% | 2.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 9.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $858,307 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 450 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 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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