Scottsdale AZ vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Scottsdale
242,169
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Scottsdale
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Scottsdale
49.2
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Scottsdale
11.2%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Scottsdale
2.0%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Scottsdale
9.4%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Scottsdale
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 49.2 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 81.8% | 39.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 2.0% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 5.1% | 4.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 9.4% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Washington
$106,287
Per Capita Income
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Washington
$75,253
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Scottsdale
$59,120
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Scottsdale
61.5%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,372 | $106,287 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,697 | $75,253 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.5% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 14.5% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 61.5% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Scottsdale
$858,307
Washington
$580,173
Washington +
Homeownership Rate
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $858,307 | $580,173 | Washington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 67.6% | 41.1% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
450
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
2150
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
26.2%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
9.4%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
Washington
14.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Washington
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
Washington
9.7%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.1% | 14.6% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 6.7% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 24.0% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.7% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Scottsdale
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 32.8 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while washington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,173. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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