Corona CA 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)
Corona, CA
California · Population: 158,839
- Median HH Income$106,438
- Median Home Price$765,560
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
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
Corona
158,839
Corona +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corona
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Corona
37.3
Corona +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Corona
24.2%
Corona +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Corona
41.6%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Corona
5.3%
Corona +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Corona
11.5%
Corona +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Corona
48.3%
Corona +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Corona
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Corona, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 158,839 | 149,519 | Corona + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 41.6 | Corona + |
| Foreign Born | 24.2% | 6.8% | Corona + |
| White | 41.6% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 5.3% | 4.8% | Corona + |
| Asian | 11.5% | 2.6% | Corona + |
| Hispanic | 48.3% | 19.2% | Corona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corona
$106,438
Corona +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Corona
$40,453
Corona +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corona
$77,230
Corona +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Corona
5.4%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Corona
9.1%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Corona
30.9%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $106,438 | $93,371 | Corona + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,453 | $39,604 | Corona + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Corona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.9% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corona
$765,560
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Corona
63.4%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,560 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corona
503
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corona
2388
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corona
35.1%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corona
11.1%
Corona +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corona
17.2%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corona
11.1%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corona
15.1%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corona
10.8%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.2% | Corona + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corona
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corona
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Corona, CA | 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.)
Corona
7.9 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corona
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Corona, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corona
38.4 min
Surprise
32.8 min
Surprise +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.4 min | 32.8 min | Surprise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corona leads in median household income at $106,438, 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 503 in Corona. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Corona, CA vs New York, NYCorona, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Corona, CACorona, CA vs Houston, TXCorona, CA vs Phoenix, AZCorona, CA vs Philadelphia, PA