Albany NY vs Aurora IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Aurora, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Albany +
Aurora
24,510
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Aurora
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Aurora
39.7
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Aurora
14.1%
White
Albany
53.0%
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Aurora
2.6%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Aurora
1.5%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Aurora
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 24,510 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 39.7 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 14.1% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 63.2% | Aurora + |
| Black | 26.6% | 2.6% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 1.5% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 37.1% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Aurora
$32,181
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Aurora
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Aurora
7.1%
Aurora +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Aurora
13.2%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $62,462 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $32,181 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $68,110 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.1% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 15.5% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 13.2% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $320,635 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 73.6% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Aurora
1842
| Metric | Albany, NY | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 344 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1842 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Aurora
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Aurora
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Aurora
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 35.9% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.4% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.9% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 15.2% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.5% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.7% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Aurora
50.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 50.2°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 37.7 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Aurora
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Aurora
26.6 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 26.6 min | Albany + |
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 434 in Albany. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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