Scottsdale AZ vs Sioux Falls SD — 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%
Sioux Falls, SD
South Dakota · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$333,043
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Scottsdale
242,169
Sioux Falls
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Scottsdale
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
Median Age
Scottsdale
49.2
Sioux Falls
N/A
Foreign Born
Scottsdale
11.2%
Sioux Falls
N/A
White
Scottsdale
81.8%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Black
Scottsdale
2.0%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Asian
Scottsdale
5.1%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Hispanic
Scottsdale
9.4%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Spanish at Home
Scottsdale
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 49.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 81.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 2.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Scottsdale
$107,372
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Income
Scottsdale
$82,697
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Scottsdale
$59,120
Sioux Falls
$69,795
Sioux Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Scottsdale
3.4%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Poverty Rate
Scottsdale
7.1%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Scottsdale
61.5%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,372 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $82,697 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,795 | Sioux Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 61.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Scottsdale
$858,307
Sioux Falls
$333,043
Sioux Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Scottsdale
67.6%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $858,307 | $333,043 | Sioux Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 67.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
450
Sioux Falls
405
Sioux Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
2150
Sioux Falls
1873
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 405 | Sioux Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1873 | Sioux Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Sioux Falls
36.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Sioux Falls
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
Sioux Falls
15.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Sioux Falls
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Sioux Falls
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
Sioux Falls
13.9%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 36.9% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.5% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.1% | 15.7% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 8.9% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 19.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.9% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Sioux Falls
45.0°F
Sioux Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
Sioux Falls
27.7 in
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.5°F | 45.0°F | Sioux Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 27.7 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Sioux Falls
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Scottsdale
75.0%
Sioux Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Sioux Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,043. On public safety, Sioux Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Scottsdale. 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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