Scottsdale AZ vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Scottsdale
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Scottsdale
49.2
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Scottsdale
11.2%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Scottsdale
2.0%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Scottsdale
5.1%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Scottsdale
9.4%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Scottsdale
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | 186,419 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 49.2 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 81.8% | 60.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 2.0% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 5.1% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 9.4% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Scottsdale
$59,120
Tempe
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
Tempe
49.5%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,372 | $77,643 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,697 | $42,371 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.7% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 16.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 61.5% | 49.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Scottsdale
$858,307
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $858,307 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 67.6% | 41.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
450
Tempe
450
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
2150
Tempe
2150
Tie
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 450 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2150 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Tempe
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
9.4%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
Tempe
9.1%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 27.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.1% | 16.6% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 10.7% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 18.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.1% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Tempe
71.3°F
Tempe +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.5°F | 71.3°F | Tempe + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tie
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 23.2 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Tempe 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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