Aurora IL vs Bakersfield CA — 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%
Bakersfield, CA
California · Population: 408,366
- Median HH Income$77,397
- Median Home Price$396,712
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Bakersfield
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Bakersfield
46.9%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Bakersfield
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 408,366 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 31.9 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 19.9% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 63.2% | 46.9% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 6.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 7.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 53.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $77,397 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $32,956 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 7.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 16.0% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 23.3% | Bakersfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Bakersfield
$396,712
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Bakersfield
60.2%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $396,712 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 60.2% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Bakersfield
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Bakersfield
2388
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Bakersfield
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Bakersfield
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Aurora +
Bakersfield
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Bakersfield
13.4%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 34.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.4% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.6% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.3% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.4% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 64.0°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 8.0 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 25.1 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, 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 503 in Bakersfield. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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