Aurora IL vs Fresno 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%
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Fresno
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Fresno
38.0%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Fresno
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 543,615 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 32.4 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 18.9% | Fresno + |
| White | 63.2% | 38.0% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 6.7% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 14.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 50.5% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
Fresno
$31,012
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Aurora +
Fresno
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Fresno
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Fresno
24.9%
Fresno +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $66,804 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $31,012 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 8.6% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 20.9% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 24.9% | Fresno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Fresno
$391,442
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Fresno
49.7%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $391,442 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 49.7% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Fresno
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Fresno
2388
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fresno, 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%
Aurora +
Fresno
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Fresno
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Fresno
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Aurora +
Fresno
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Fresno
13.8%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 37.5% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.7% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.1% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.3% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.1% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.8% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Fresno
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 64.2°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 12.8 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 23.7 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 Fresno. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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