Aurora IL vs Billings MT — 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%
Billings, MT
Montana · Population: 118,321
- Median HH Income$71,855
- Median Home Price$398,212
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+37.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Billings
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Billings
38.1
Billings +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Billings
2.0%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Aurora +
Billings
1.0%
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Aurora +
Billings
0.9%
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Billings
7.2%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Billings
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 118,321 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 38.1 | Billings + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 2.0% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 86.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 2.6% | 1.0% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 0.9% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 7.2% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Billings
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $71,855 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $42,639 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $62,117 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 10.6% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 37.0% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Billings
$398,212
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Billings
64.8%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $398,212 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 64.8% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Billings
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Billings
1984
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 433 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1984 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Billings
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Billings
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Billings
14.1%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 33.9% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.5% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.0% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 9.4% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 20.0% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.1% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 47.7°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 14.8 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 18.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, 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 433 in Billings. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Billings has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Billings scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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