Aurora IL vs Charlotte NC — 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%
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Charlotte
41.5%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Charlotte
17.0%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 886,283 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.4 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 18.1% | Charlotte + |
| White | 63.2% | 41.5% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 34.1% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 6.3% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 17.0% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Charlotte
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $78,438 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $49,991 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.4% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 11.7% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 47.4% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Charlotte
$399,070
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Charlotte
51.5%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $399,070 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 51.5% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Charlotte
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Charlotte
1999
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 398 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1999 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Charlotte
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 30.1% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.1% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.4% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.4% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.4% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.4% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Charlotte
59.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Charlotte
41.6 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 59.9°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 41.6 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Charlotte
26.7 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 26.7 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, 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 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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