Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 242,169 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 49.2 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 11.2% | Raleigh + |
| White | 53.8% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 27.5% | 2.0% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 9.4% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Scottsdale
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $858,307 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.4% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.4% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | 72.5°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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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