Aurora IL vs Berkeley 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%
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Berkeley
54.8%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Berkeley
12.1%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 120,223 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 32.9 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 21.3% | Berkeley + |
| White | 63.2% | 54.8% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 7.4% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 20.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 12.1% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Berkeley
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $108,558 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $66,936 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.0% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 16.8% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 75.0% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Berkeley
43.3%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $1,451,222 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 43.3% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Berkeley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Berkeley
2388
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Berkeley, 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%
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Berkeley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Berkeley
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 22.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.1% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 6.1% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 18.1% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Berkeley
58.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 58.1°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 26.7 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Berkeley
32.2 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 32.2 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
Compare More Cities
Aurora, IL vs New York, NYAurora, IL vs Los Angeles, CAAurora, IL vs Chicago, ILAurora, IL vs Houston, TXAurora, IL vs Phoenix, AZAurora, IL vs Philadelphia, PA