Aurora IL vs Baltimore MD — 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%
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Baltimore
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Baltimore
8.8%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Baltimore
27.4%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Baltimore
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Baltimore
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 577,193 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 36.1 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 8.8% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 27.4% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 60.0% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.5% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 7.9% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Baltimore
$59,623
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Baltimore
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $59,623 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $39,195 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $70,886 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.6% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 20.1% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 35.4% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Baltimore
47.5%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $191,668 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 47.5% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Baltimore
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 433 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1724 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Baltimore
38.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Baltimore
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Baltimore
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Baltimore
16.1%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 38.1% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.4% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.6% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.4% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.0% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.1% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Baltimore
55.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Baltimore
41.9 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 55.1°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 41.9 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Baltimore
31.6 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 31.6 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Baltimore has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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