Aurora IL vs Elizabeth NJ — 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%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Elizabeth
1.8%
Elizabeth +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 135,887 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 35.8 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 63.2% | 24.8% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 17.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Elizabeth
14.2%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $63,874 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $28,490 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 14.2% | Elizabeth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $531,592 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 25.4% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Elizabeth
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Aurora +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 34.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.7% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.8% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 28.1% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.0% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 29.3 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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