Aurora CO vs Elgin 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%
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Aurora
49.2%
Aurora +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 114,106 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.3 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 49.2% | 45.4% | Aurora + |
| Black | 15.8% | 5.2% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Elgin
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $36,037 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $68,110 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.3% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 26.0% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1842 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Aurora +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Aurora +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 35.8% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.1% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.8% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 18.1% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Elgin
48.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.7°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 +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Aurora +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Elgin, 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
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 30.4 min | Elgin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while elgin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,920. On public safety, Elgin 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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