Santa Clarita 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)
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
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
Santa Clarita
229,021
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Clarita
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Santa Clarita
38.1
Santa Clarita +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Santa Clarita +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Santa Clarita
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 49.2 | Santa Clarita + |
| Foreign Born | 21.6% | 11.2% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 53.1% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 4.4% | 2.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 5.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 36.0% | 9.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Scottsdale
$107,372
Per Capita Income
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,926 | $107,372 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,571 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.3% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Santa Clarita +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
Scottsdale
67.6%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $802,780 | $858,307 | Santa Clarita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.0% | 67.6% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
503
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
2388
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Scottsdale
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.7% | 26.2% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
Scottsdale
10.3 in
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | 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.)
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.4 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while santa Clarita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $802,780. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Clarita. 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, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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