Arlington TX 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Aurora
24,510
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Aurora
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Aurora
39.7
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Aurora
14.1%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Aurora
2.6%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Aurora
1.5%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Aurora
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 24,510 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 39.7 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 14.1% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 63.2% | Aurora + |
| Black | 22.4% | 2.6% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 1.5% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 37.1% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Aurora
$62,462
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Arlington +
Aurora
$32,181
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Aurora
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Aurora
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Aurora
13.2%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $62,462 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $32,181 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 7.1% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 15.5% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 13.2% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Aurora
$320,635
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $320,635 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 73.6% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Aurora
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Aurora
15.2%
Aurora +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Aurora
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 35.9% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.4% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 15.9% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 15.2% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.5% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.7% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 50.2°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 37.7 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Arlington +
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Aurora
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Arlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 26.6 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Arlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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