Aurora IL vs Escondido 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%
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Escondido
107,066
Escondido +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Escondido
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Escondido
38.1
Escondido +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Escondido
13.7%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Aurora +
Escondido
0.6%
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Escondido
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 107,066 | Escondido + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 38.1 | Escondido + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 49.7% | Escondido + |
| White | 63.2% | 13.7% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 0.6% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 29.3% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 65.1% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Escondido
$64,484
Escondido +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
Escondido
$24,356
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Escondido
6.4%
Escondido +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Escondido
17.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Escondido
14.7%
Escondido +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $64,484 | Escondido + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $24,356 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.4% | Escondido + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 17.2% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 14.7% | Escondido + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Escondido
$849,335
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Escondido
40.1%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $849,335 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 40.1% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Escondido
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Escondido
2388
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Escondido, 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%
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Escondido
11.3%
Escondido +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Escondido
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Escondido
14.1%
Escondido +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Escondido
12.2%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 28.1% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.3% | Escondido + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.0% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.1% | Escondido + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.2% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.2% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Escondido
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 11.1 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Escondido +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Escondido
75.0%
Escondido +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Escondido + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Escondido + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Escondido
31.6 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 31.6 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Escondido leads in median household income at $64,484, 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 Escondido. Escondido has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Escondido has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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