Aurora IL vs Austin TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Aurora, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Austin
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Austin
59.9%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Austin
32.2%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Austin
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 967,862 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.5 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 18.1% | Austin + |
| White | 63.2% | 59.9% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 7.5% | Austin + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 8.6% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 32.2% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Austin
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $91,461 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $59,427 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.5% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 12.3% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 58.2% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Austin
$511,264
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Austin
44.4%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $511,264 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 44.4% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Austin
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Austin
2339
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Austin
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Austin
15.1%
Austin +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Austin
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 30.1% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.1% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.9% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.1% | Austin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 20.0% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.4% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Austin
67.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 67.2°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 34.9 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Austin +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Austin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Austin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 25.8 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Austin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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