Aurora IL 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, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
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
24,510
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Aurora +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 41.6 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 6.8% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 2.6% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 19.2% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $422,520 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Surprise, 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%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 32.8 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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