Aurora IL vs Chicago IL — 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%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Chicago
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 35.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 63.2% | 39.1% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 29.6% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Chicago
$68,110
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Aurora +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $75,134 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $68,110 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 7.9% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 16.8% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Chicago
$324,183
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $324,183 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 45.5% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Chicago
344
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Chicago
1842
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 344 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1842 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Chicago
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Chicago
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Chicago
11.9%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.0% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.0% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.6% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 19.0% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.9% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 49.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 37.8 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Chicago
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 36.5 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Chicago has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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