San Francisco 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)
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
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 Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Francisco
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
San Francisco
39.7
San Francisco +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
San Francisco
40.5%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
San Francisco
5.1%
San Francisco +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
San Francisco
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 242,169 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 49.2 | San Francisco + |
| Foreign Born | 34.2% | 11.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 40.5% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 5.1% | 2.0% | San Francisco + |
| Asian | 35.0% | 5.1% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 15.9% | 9.4% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Scottsdale
$107,372
Per Capita Income
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Scottsdale
$82,697
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
San Francisco
5.6%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
San Francisco
10.6%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Francisco
60.1%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,446 | $107,372 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,285 | $82,697 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Scottsdale
$858,307
Scottsdale +
Homeownership Rate
San Francisco
38.5%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,369,171 | $858,307 | Scottsdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
503
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
2388
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | San Francisco, 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
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Scottsdale
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.7%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Francisco
14.5%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
6.6%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
19.6%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.1%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 26.2% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
20.7 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 72.5°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Francisco
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Francisco, 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
San Francisco
33.9 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while scottsdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $858,307. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Francisco. 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, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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