Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 242,169 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 49.2 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 11.2% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 7.8% | 2.0% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 9.4% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Scottsdale
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $858,307 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Scottsdale
450
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Scottsdale
2150
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 450 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2150 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Phoenix +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 72.5°F | Phoenix + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. 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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