Scottsdale AZ vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Scottsdale
242,169
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Scottsdale
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Scottsdale
49.2
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Scottsdale
11.2%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Scottsdale
2.0%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Scottsdale
9.4%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Scottsdale
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 49.2 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 81.8% | 58.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 2.0% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 5.1% | 3.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 9.4% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Scottsdale
$59,120
Tucson
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,372 | $54,546 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,697 | $31,152 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 18.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 61.5% | 30.2% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Scottsdale
$858,307
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $858,307 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 67.6% | 51.7% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
450
Tucson
450
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
2150
Tucson
2150
Tie
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tucson, 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 +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
15.4%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 33.5% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.5% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.1% | 18.3% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 15.7% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.5% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Tucson
69.8°F
Tucson +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.5°F | 69.8°F | Tucson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 12.2 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tucson, 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
Scottsdale +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 23.9 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson 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 Tucson 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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