San Antonio TX 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)
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
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
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Antonio
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
San Antonio
48.3%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
San Antonio
7.0%
San Antonio +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
San Antonio
3.1%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
San Antonio
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 242,169 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 49.2 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 14.3% | 11.2% | San Antonio + |
| White | 48.3% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 7.0% | 2.0% | San Antonio + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 64.4% | 9.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Antonio
$62,917
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
San Antonio
$32,983
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
San Antonio
5.8%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
San Antonio
17.1%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Antonio
28.7%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,917 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,983 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.1% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
San Antonio
52.4%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,035 | $858,307 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.4% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
2339
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
34.9%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
15.2%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Antonio
17.2%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
24.5%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
16.0%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
13.0%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.9% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
68.5°F
San Antonio +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
34.9 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 72.5°F | San Antonio + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Antonio
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Antonio
26.5 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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