Aurora IL vs Birmingham AL — 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%
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Birmingham
4.4%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Birmingham
25.6%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Aurora +
Birmingham
1.4%
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Birmingham
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 199,322 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 35.9 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 4.4% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 25.6% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 67.1% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.4% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 4.9% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Birmingham
$44,376
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
Birmingham
$31,616
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Birmingham
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Birmingham
25.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $44,376 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $31,616 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $51,690 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.1% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 25.2% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 30.7% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Birmingham
45.1%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $137,201 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 45.1% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Birmingham
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 400 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1734 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Birmingham
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Birmingham
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Birmingham
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Birmingham
16.6%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 42.2% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 19.2% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.5% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.2% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 13.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.6% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Birmingham
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Birmingham
53.7 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 63.3°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 53.7 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 23.2 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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