Aurora CO vs Surprise AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Aurora, CO
Colorado · Population: 390,201
- Median HH Income$84,320
- Median Home Price$464,881
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 149,519 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 41.6 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 6.8% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 15.8% | 4.8% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 2.6% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 19.2% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $39,604 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,120 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 31.0% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 29.4% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.2% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Aurora +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 32.8 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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