Aurora CO vs Naperville 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%
Naperville, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,424
- Median HH Income$150,937
- Median Home Price$618,452
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+71.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Aurora
49.2%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 149,424 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 40.1 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 49.2% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 15.8% | 4.4% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 7.4% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Naperville
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $68,110 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $618,452 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1842 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Naperville
16.7%
Naperville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.7% | Naperville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Aurora +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Naperville, 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 +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 33.8 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $464,881. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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