Aurora IL vs Chattanooga TN — 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%
Chattanooga, TN
Tennessee · Population: 182,832
- Median HH Income$61,028
- Median Home Price$322,291
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Chattanooga
7.7%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Chattanooga
58.4%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Chattanooga
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 182,832 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 36.6 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 7.7% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 58.4% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 28.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 9.3% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Chattanooga
$61,028
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Chattanooga
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Chattanooga
17.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $61,028 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $40,040 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,097 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 17.6% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 35.5% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Chattanooga
$322,291
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Chattanooga
53.1%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $322,291 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 53.1% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Chattanooga
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Chattanooga
2350
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 639 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2350 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Chattanooga
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Chattanooga
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Chattanooga
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Chattanooga
16.7%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.3% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.9% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.2% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.7% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Chattanooga
52.5 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 60.9°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 52.5 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 20.3 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, 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 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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