Aurora IL vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 13.7% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 58.2% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $54,546 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $31,152 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 18.8% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $324,946 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 51.7% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tucson, 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%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Aurora +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.5% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.3% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.7% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.5% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 69.8°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, 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 Tucson. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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