Aurora CO vs Joliet 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%
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Joliet
15.2%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 149,785 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.3 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 15.2% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 15.8% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 2.1% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Joliet
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $35,820 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $68,110 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.8% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 25.0% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Aurora +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 41.9% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.7% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.7% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.9% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 19.1% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.0% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Aurora +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Joliet, 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 +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 31.7 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while joliet offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,637. On public safety, Joliet 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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