Aurora IL vs Columbia SC — 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, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Columbia
49.9%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 138,019 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 5.1% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 49.9% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.7% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 5.7% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Aurora +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $55,653 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $38,087 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $54,550 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 7.6% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 23.3% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Columbia
47.3%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 47.3% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Columbia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Columbia
1999
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbia, SC | 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%
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Columbia
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Columbia
13.0%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 34.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.1% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.2% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.2% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 17.7% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.0% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 66.7°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
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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