Aurora IL vs Downey CA — 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%
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Downey
114,617
Downey +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Downey
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Downey
21.0%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Aurora +
Downey
0.4%
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Aurora +
Downey
1.5%
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Downey
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 114,617 | Downey + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.0 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 39.4% | Downey + |
| White | 63.2% | 21.0% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 0.4% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.5% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 95.6% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
Downey
$23,265
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Downey
16.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Aurora +
Downey
10.6%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $68,378 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $23,265 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.0% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 16.6% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 10.6% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Downey
$888,820
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Downey
33.7%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $888,820 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 33.7% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Downey
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Downey
2388
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Downey
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Downey
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 27.6% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.8% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.1% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.8% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.9% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Downey
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 14.3 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Downey
33.1 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 33.1 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, 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 503 in Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Downey has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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