Scottsdale AZ vs Seattle WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Scottsdale
242,169
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Scottsdale
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Scottsdale
49.2
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Scottsdale
11.2%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Scottsdale
2.0%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Scottsdale
5.1%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Scottsdale
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 49.2 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 81.8% | 61.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 2.0% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 5.1% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 9.4% | 8.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Scottsdale
$107,372
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Seattle
$82,508
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Scottsdale
$59,120
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Scottsdale
61.5%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,372 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,697 | $82,508 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 9.9% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 61.5% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Scottsdale
$858,307
Scottsdale +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $858,307 | $871,599 | Scottsdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 67.6% | 44.3% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
450
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3409 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
26.2%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
9.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
6.3%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
7.4%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.1% | 15.3% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 19.0% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.5°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 37.5 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Scottsdale
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 28.8 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while scottsdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $858,307. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 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, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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