2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Barbara, CA vs Scottsdale, AZ

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Highlights
Are people in Scottsdale older or younger than people in Santa Barbara?
- The Median Age in Scottsdale is 8.8 years older than in Santa Barbara.

Are housing costs cheaper in Scottsdale or Santa Barbara?
- Scottsdale housing costs are 52.7% less expensive than Santa Barbara housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Scottsdale or Santa Barbara?
- The average commute for residents of Scottsdale is 5.0 minutes longer than it is for residents of Santa Barbara.

Things to do in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara, California has something for everyone - from fantastic beaches to world-class shopping and dining experiences. Visitors can explore Old Mission Santa Barbara or take part in various water activities around Stearns Wharf.

Things to do in Scottsdale?
Scottsdale, Arizona is a picturesque city located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Home to numerous upscale resorts and boutiques, it's an ideal spot for luxury travelers to visit. Enjoy a round of golf at one of the world-class courses or explore the desert on foot with a hike through the McDowell Mountains. Savor unique culinary creations from award-winning restaurants or take in a show at one of the many performing arts venues. With its breathtaking views and endless activities, Scottsdale is perfect for any visitor!

 Santa Barbara, CAScottsdale, AZUnited States
 Population  Unlock238,685329,725,481
 Median Income$89,243  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock47.938.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,525,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.7%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time17.15  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Santa Barbara    51 Reviews

I moved to Santa Barbara around 23 years ago to study at Brooks, which like most of the Santa Barbara that I knew—has been destroyed. Homelessness, drugs, gangs, high  More

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Over 4 years ago

I fell in love with Santa Barbara about thirty years ago and finally moved here a few years ago. Because of the price of homes, it is an expensive place to live. The  More

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If you like high crime, paying a $4,500 a month mortgage and crazy high taxes, this is the place for you. It’s too bad because it wasn’t always like this. When I moved  More

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Reviews for Scottsdale    84 Reviews

It's been a long time since I visited Scottsdale after visiting a few times a decade ago. It used to be more of an area that deserved it's punchlines for being stuck up  More

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Over 1 years ago

My son went to ASU in '99 which is how we ended up here from Northern Illinois. Over the years we came out for vacations and bought a second home until we finally made  More

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I lived in San Jose for 30 years...in the late '50s. I walked thru cherry orchards to school. After college classes, I drove 20 minutes to the beach. San Francisco was  More

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