Orem UT 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)
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
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
Orem
86,973
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Orem
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Orem
10.5%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Orem
77.1%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Orem
1.9%
Scottsdale
2.0%
Scottsdale +
Asian
Orem
1.6%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Orem
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 86,973 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 49.2 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 77.1% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 1.9% | 2.0% | Scottsdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 9.4% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Orem
$70,053
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Orem
$33,579
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Orem
4.0%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Orem
12.7%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Orem
25.6%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,053 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $59,120 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.6% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Orem
$509,396
Orem +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Orem
60.9%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $509,396 | $858,307 | Orem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.9% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
245
Orem +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
1931
Orem +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Orem, UT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 450 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2150 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
30.3%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Orem
17.1%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Orem
11.5%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
Scottsdale
7.4%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.4% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 15.4% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 7.4% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
13.3 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 72.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.3 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Orem
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Orem, UT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Orem
24.5 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while orem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $509,396. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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