Aurora CO vs Chicago IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Aurora, CO
Colorado · Population: 390,201
- Median HH Income$84,320
- Median Home Price$464,881
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Chicago
35.7
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Chicago
20.7%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Aurora +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Chicago
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.7 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 20.7% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 39.1% | Aurora + |
| Black | 15.8% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 29.6% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Chicago
$75,134
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Chicago
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $75,134 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $68,110 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 7.9% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 16.8% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $324,183 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 45.5% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Chicago
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Chicago
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Aurora +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 32.6% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.0% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.6% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 19.0% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Chicago
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Aurora +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Aurora + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Aurora +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 36.5 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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