Aurora IL vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Columbia
8.1%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 127,200 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 8.1% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 74.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 2.6% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 6.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 4.3% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $64,488 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $37,359 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,527 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 20.0% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 56.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Columbia
$323,876
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Columbia
49.4%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $323,876 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 49.4% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 501 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2418 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Columbia
12.4%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 30.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.1% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 8.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 18.5% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.4% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Columbia
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 56.0°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 46.3 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Columbia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, 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 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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