Scottsdale AZ vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Scottsdale
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Scottsdale
49.2
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
Waco
9.8%
White
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Scottsdale
2.0%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Scottsdale
9.4%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Scottsdale
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | 141,925 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 49.2 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 9.8% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 81.8% | 54.0% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 2.0% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 5.1% | 2.0% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 9.4% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Scottsdale
$59,120
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,372 | $51,468 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,697 | $28,819 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 24.0% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 61.5% | 28.6% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Scottsdale
$858,307
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $858,307 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 67.6% | 48.9% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
450
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2339 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 36.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.0% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.1% | 20.4% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 20.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 15.1% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Waco
66.6°F
Waco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.5°F | 66.6°F | Waco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 36.4 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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