Aurora IL vs Boise ID — 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%
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Boise
38.2
Boise +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Boise
7.2%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Aurora +
Boise
1.4%
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Boise
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 235,701 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 38.2 | Boise + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 7.2% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 83.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 2.6% | 1.4% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.4% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 9.5% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Boise
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $81,308 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $48,274 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $57,074 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 10.6% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 46.6% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Boise
$504,894
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Boise
63.0%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $504,894 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 63.0% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Boise
251
Boise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 251 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 958 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 49.9°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 18.6 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 20.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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