Richmond CA 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)
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Richmond
115,396
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
37.6
Richmond +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Richmond
21.4%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 49.2 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 34.5% | 11.2% | Richmond + |
| White | 21.4% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 17.3% | 2.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 5.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 46.9% | 9.4% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$90,038
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$41,898
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
7.0%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
13.7%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
32.6%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,898 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$608,357
Richmond +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
52.5%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $608,357 | $858,307 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
503
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
2388
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
32.9%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.9%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
17.8%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
11.9%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.4% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.5°F
Richmond +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
24.9 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.5°F | 72.5°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.9 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
37.7 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.7 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $608,357. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Richmond. 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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