Aurora IL vs Garland TX — 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%
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Garland
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Garland
37.5%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Garland
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 245,298 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.7 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 31.2% | Garland + |
| White | 63.2% | 37.5% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 15.3% | Garland + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 11.2% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 45.0% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
Garland
$31,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Garland
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Garland
25.0%
Garland +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $74,717 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $31,477 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.9% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 12.3% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 25.0% | Garland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Garland
61.6%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $289,605 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 61.6% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Garland
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Garland
2339
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Garland
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Garland
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Aurora +
Garland
22.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Garland
13.1%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 34.7% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.0% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.3% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 22.6% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.1% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.1% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Garland
69.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Garland
49.5 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 69.1°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 49.5 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Garland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Garland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Garland
32.5 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 32.5 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Garland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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