Aurora IL vs Scottsdale 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, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Aurora +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Aurora +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 49.2 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 11.2% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 2.6% | 2.0% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 9.4% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Scottsdale
67.6%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $858,307 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 67.6% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 450 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2150 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 72.5°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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