Saint Paul MN 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)
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
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
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 242,169 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 49.2 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 11.2% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 53.2% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 16.2% | 2.0% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 5.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $59,120 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $858,307 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 450 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2150 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Scottsdale
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Scottsdale
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
Scottsdale
12.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Scottsdale
6.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Scottsdale
7.4%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Scottsdale
10.3 in
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 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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