Ann Arbor MI 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)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Ann Arbor
N/A
Aurora
24,510
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Aurora
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Aurora
39.7
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Aurora
14.1%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Aurora
63.2%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Aurora
2.6%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Aurora
1.5%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Aurora
37.1%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Aurora
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 24,510 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 39.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 63.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 37.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Aurora
$62,462
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Aurora
$32,181
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Aurora
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Aurora
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Aurora
13.2%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $62,462 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $32,181 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $68,110 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 13.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Aurora
73.6%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $320,635 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 73.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Aurora
1842
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 344 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1842 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Aurora
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Aurora
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Aurora
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Aurora
11.7%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 35.9% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 11.4% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.9% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 15.2% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 17.5% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.7% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Aurora
50.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Aurora
37.7 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 50.2°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Aurora +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Aurora
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Aurora
26.6 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 26.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 471 in Ann Arbor. Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
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