Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Aurora
24,510
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Aurora
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Aurora
39.7
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Aurora
2.6%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Aurora
1.5%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Aurora
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 24,510 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 39.7 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 14.1% | Aurora + |
| White | 39.9% | 63.2% | Aurora + |
| Black | 46.9% | 2.6% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 1.5% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 37.1% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Aurora
$62,462
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Aurora
$32,181
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Aurora
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Aurora
13.2%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $62,462 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $32,181 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.1% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 15.5% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 13.2% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $320,635 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 73.6% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Aurora
1842
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Aurora
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Aurora
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Aurora
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Aurora
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Aurora
11.7%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 35.9% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.4% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.9% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 15.2% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 17.5% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.7% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Aurora
50.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 37.7 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Aurora +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Aurora
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 26.6 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, 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 Atlanta. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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