Aurora IL vs Columbus 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%
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Columbus
53.3%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Columbus
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 906,480 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 33.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 14.4% | Columbus + |
| White | 63.2% | 53.3% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 29.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.8% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 7.9% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Columbus
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Columbus
17.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $65,327 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $37,189 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,300 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.1% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 17.8% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 38.2% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Columbus
44.3%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $248,749 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 44.3% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Columbus
1866
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 319 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1866 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Columbus
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Columbus
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Columbus
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Columbus
15.2%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 34.7% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.8% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.8% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 9.7% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 18.1% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.2% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Columbus
40.2 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 40.2 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Aurora +
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Columbus
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 23.4 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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