Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Centennial, CO
VS
Scottsdale, AZ
🏆 Scottsdale leads 13 of 21 categories
Centennial
Colorado
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$124,617 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
45
Population
107,702
Scottsdale
Arizona
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$104,197
Violent Crime Index
40 ✓ Safer
Population
240,537 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Centennial, CO
Pros
Violent crime is well below the national average (172.8 vs 380/100k)
Households earn $20,420 more per year on average
Homes cost $65k less ($586,500 vs $651,800)
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 99°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,949/mo
Snowy winters — about 64" of snow per year
Scottsdale, AZ
Pros
Violent crime is well below the national average (152.5 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 64°F vs 45°F
Rent averages $181/mo less ($1,768 vs $1,949)
Cons
Median income trails Centennial by $20,420/yr
Pricier housing — median home is $651,800
Hot summers — July highs average 99°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Centennial
Median Income
$20,420
$124,617 vs $104,197/yr
Centennial
Median Home Value
$65k less
$586,500 vs $651,800
Scottsdale
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 104.0 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Scottsdale
Violent Crime
12% lower
152.5 vs 172.8 per 100k
Scottsdale
Summer Heat
12.1°F warmer
July avg high 99.4°F vs 87.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Scottsdale, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High | 104.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $586,500⚠ High ✓ Lower | $651,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,949⚠ High | $1,768⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $124,617 ✓ Higher | $104,197 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% ✓ Lower | 3.5% |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.0 min | 21.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 21.2% | 26.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 60 | 60 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 45 | 40 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 81 ✓ Safer | 89 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (115) | A- (116) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 61.3% | 61.3% |
| High School or Higher | 97.4% ✓ Higher | 97.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah | Scottsdale Unified District (4240) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 44.6°F | 63.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 87.3°F | 99.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 15.0" | 11.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 64.0" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 107,702 | 240,537 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 48.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 82.3% ✓ Higher | 67.0% |
| Under 18 | 22.5% ✓ More | 14.3% |
| Over 65 | 17.9% | 25.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Centennial's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Scottsdale's 104.0 (US average = 100).
Scottsdale is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Scottsdale leads 13 of 21 categories. Centennial wins 8 and Scottsdale wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Centennial to Scottsdale or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($586,500 vs $651,800 median home), income ($124,617 vs $104,197), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Centennial, CO and Scottsdale, AZ are about 563 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.