Aurora IL vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 13.9% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 60.1% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 23.1% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 16.2% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $468,328 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 41.6% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tempe, 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%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.6% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 18.3% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 71.3°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
Compare More Cities
Aurora, IL vs New York, NYAurora, IL vs Los Angeles, CAAurora, IL vs Chicago, ILAurora, IL vs Houston, TXAurora, IL vs Phoenix, AZAurora, IL vs Philadelphia, PA