Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 242,169 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 49.2 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 11.2% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 39.9% | 2.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 5.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 9.4% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,120 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $858,307 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 450 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2150 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Scottsdale
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Scottsdale
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Scottsdale
12.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Scottsdale
6.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Scottsdale
7.4%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | 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
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 72.5°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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