Aurora IL vs Cedar Rapids IA — 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%
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 136,859 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 36.9 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 7.1% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 79.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 2.6% | 8.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 5.1% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $67,859 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $39,824 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $61,226 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 11.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 32.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $210,271 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 68.2% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 296 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1452 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.3% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.4% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 7.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 20.4% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.6% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 50.3°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 37.6 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Aurora +
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 19.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids leads in median household income at $67,859, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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