In this study we assess the capability of current-generation satellites to capture the variability of near-surface nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) monitoring data, with the goal of supporting health and regulatory applications. We consider NO₂ vertical column densities (VCDs) over the United States from two satellite instruments, the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) and Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO), and compare them with ground-based concentrations as measured by the EPA's Air Quality System (AQS) monitors. While TROPOMI provides a longer-term record of assessment (2019–2023), TEMPO informs diurnal patterns relevant to evaluating peak NO₂. We analyze frequency distributions and quantify their similarity using the Jensen–Shannon divergence (JSD), where smaller values indicate better agreement. Satellite and ground monitor NO₂ distributions are most similar at non-roadway monitors (JSD =0.008) and are most different at interstate (JSD = 0.158) and highway (JSD =0.095) monitors. Seasonal analysis shows the greatest similarity in distributions in winter (JSD =0.010) and the greatest difference in summer (JSD =0.035). Across seasons and monitor locations, the calculated 13:30 LT TEMPO consistently exhibits JSDs that are better than or comparable to TROPOMI (TEMPO: 0.005–0.151; TROPOMI: 0.012–0.265). TEMPO's agreement with monitors, in both December 2023 and July 2024, is found to be best around midday, with non-road monitors in July having the best alignment (JSD =0.008) at 16:00 UTC (≈11:00 LT). These findings highlight the ability of TROPOMI and TEMPO to complement existing ground-based monitors and demonstrate their potential for monitor siting, regulatory, and public health applications.