Aurora IL vs Bellingham WA — 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%
Bellingham, WA
Washington · Population: 92,367
- Median HH Income$65,821
- Median Home Price$669,185
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Bellingham
92,367
Bellingham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Bellingham
9.1%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Aurora +
Bellingham
1.3%
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Bellingham
10.0%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 92,367 | Bellingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.5 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 9.1% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 79.5% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 2.6% | 1.3% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.4% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 10.0% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Bellingham
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $65,821 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $42,120 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.6% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 18.3% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 46.5% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Bellingham
$669,185
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Bellingham
45.2%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $669,185 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 45.2% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Bellingham
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Bellingham
3409
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 383 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3409 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Bellingham
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Bellingham
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 26.0% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.7% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.7% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 8.2% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 18.5% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.5% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Bellingham
51.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 51.7°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 35.3 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Bellingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 20.1 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, 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 383 in Bellingham. Bellingham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Bellingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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