City comparison
No. Scottsdale's crime index is 79 versus 166 in St Paul, and its violent crime index is 48 versus 160, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Paul is cheaper. Median rent is $1,281 a month versus $2,013 in Scottsdale.
Climate is the sharpest divide between St Paul and Scottsdale. St Paul averages 50°F while Scottsdale averages 79°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,281 versus $2,013.
Scottsdale is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. St Paul makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Scottsdale is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. St Paul at $1,281 average has pockets that run $1,081 and others at $1,681: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
St Paul and Scottsdale are 1,274 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,281 a month in St Paul to $2,013 a month in Scottsdale, up $732 a month (57%).
Median household income goes from $73,394 in St Paul to $110,886 in Scottsdale, up $37,492 (51%).
The crime index goes from 166 in St Paul to 79 in Scottsdale, down 87 points (52%).
The move
Scottsdale and St Paul are 1,274 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,013 a month in Scottsdale to $1,281 a month in St Paul, down $732 a month (36%).
Median household income goes from $110,886 in Scottsdale to $73,394 in St Paul, down $37,492 (34%).
The crime index goes from 79 in Scottsdale to 166 in St Paul, up 87 points (110%).
St Paul, MN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Scottsdale, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing St Paul and Scottsdale? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
36% cheaper
St Paul rent is 36% cheaper than Scottsdale
St Paul
Winner$1,281/mo
Scottsdale
$2,013/mo
Typical rent runs $1,281 a month in St Paul versus $2,013 in Scottsdale, so St Paul is 36% cheaper. That's roughly $732/month back in your pocket ($8,784/year). Over five years that's $43,920 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Scottsdale, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, St Paul is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Scottsdale? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
51% higher
Scottsdale's median income is 51% higher than St Paul
St Paul
$73,394
Scottsdale
Winner$110,886
Median household income is $110,886 in Scottsdale versus $73,394 in St Paul, so typical pay runs 51% higher in Scottsdale (about $37,492 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Scottsdale is the stronger labor market on paper. St Paul can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
52% lower crime
Scottsdale's crime index is 52% lower than St Paul
St Paul
166 (100 = avg)
Scottsdale
Winner79 (100 = avg)
Scottsdale's crime index is 79 versus 166 in St Paul (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 52% lower in Scottsdale. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Scottsdale is the easier city. St Paul can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
72% more comfortable
Scottsdale weather is 72% more comfortable than St Paul
St Paul
50°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 58/100
Scottsdale
Winner79°F avg · 86°F highs · comfort 100/100
St Paul averages about 50°F (57°F highs); Scottsdale averages about 79°F (86°F highs). St Paul averages around 50°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Scottsdale sits near 79°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Scottsdale scores 72% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose St Paul if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to St Paul
St Paul is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 36% cheaper here at about $1,281 a month. Choose St Paul if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 51% higher ($110,886), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 79°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Scottsdale is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 52% lower than St Paul (79 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
On weather alone, Scottsdale is the warmer market (79°F) and St Paul the cooler (50°F). Typical leases run $2,013 and $1,281; choose the climate you will tolerate year-round, not just on a visit weekend.
Scottsdale still pays more locally ($110,886 median income vs $73,394), which can offset the lease if your field pays Scottsdale rates.
Typical rent stays $1,281 in St Paul and $2,013 in Scottsdale.
Most movers who prioritize climate land in Scottsdale; St Paul only makes sense when 50°F matches how you want to live year-round.
Common questions
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