Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Aurora
24,510
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Aurora
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Aurora
39.7
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
White
Athens
57.6%
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Aurora
2.6%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Aurora
1.5%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Aurora
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 24,510 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 39.7 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 14.1% | Aurora + |
| White | 57.6% | 63.2% | Aurora + |
| Black | 26.2% | 2.6% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 1.5% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 37.1% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Aurora
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Aurora
13.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $62,462 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $32,181 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.1% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 15.5% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 13.2% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $320,635 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 73.6% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Aurora
1842
| Metric | Athens, GA | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Aurora
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Aurora
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Aurora
15.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Aurora
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Aurora
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Aurora
11.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 50.2°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 37.7 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Aurora +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Aurora
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Aurora
26.6 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 26.6 min | Athens + |
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 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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