Aurora IL vs Bismarck ND — 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%
Bismarck, ND
North Dakota · Population: 74,146
- Median HH Income$77,608
- Median Home Price$373,227
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+38.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Bismarck
74,146
Bismarck +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Bismarck
38.2
Bismarck +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Bismarck
3.6%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Aurora +
Bismarck
2.5%
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Aurora +
Bismarck
1.0%
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Bismarck
3.2%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 74,146 | Bismarck + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 38.2 | Bismarck + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 3.6% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 84.8% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.6% | 2.5% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.0% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 3.2% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $77,608 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $44,475 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $71,089 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.6% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 9.7% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 38.7% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Bismarck
$373,227
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Bismarck
65.8%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $373,227 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 65.8% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Bismarck
2037
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 288 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2037 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Bismarck
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Bismarck
12.0%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 35.2% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.4% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 13.3% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 6.6% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 20.4% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.0% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 42.4°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 19.6 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bismarck +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Bismarck
75.0%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Bismarck + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 16.7 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Bismarck has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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