Aurora IL vs Cincinnati OH — 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%
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Cincinnati
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Cincinnati
7.1%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Cincinnati
49.4%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Cincinnati
5.4%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Cincinnati
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 309,595 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 33.0 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 7.1% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 49.4% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 38.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 5.4% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Cincinnati
$51,707
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Cincinnati
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Cincinnati
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $51,707 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $38,878 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,300 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 24.5% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 41.3% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Cincinnati
38.9%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $252,784 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 38.9% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Cincinnati
1866
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 319 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1866 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Cincinnati
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Cincinnati
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Cincinnati
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Cincinnati
16.1%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 38.3% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.1% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.8% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 9.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 17.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.1% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Cincinnati
47.7 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 54.2°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 47.7 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Aurora +
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Cincinnati
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 24.8 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, 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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