Aurora IL vs Glendale 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%
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Glendale
192,270
Glendale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Aurora +
Glendale
41.4
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Aurora +
Glendale
1.7%
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Glendale
18.5%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 192,270 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 41.4 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 51.0% | Glendale + |
| White | 63.2% | 67.4% | Glendale + |
| Black | 2.6% | 1.7% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 13.3% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 18.5% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Aurora +
Glendale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Glendale
13.4%
Glendale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $84,262 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $46,597 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 8.2% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 13.4% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 45.5% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Glendale
$1,205,826
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Glendale
35.3%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $1,205,826 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 35.3% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Glendale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Glendale
2388
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Glendale, 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%
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Glendale
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 24.5% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.9% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.4% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 6.8% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.6% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.5% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Glendale
64.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 64.1°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 17.3 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Glendale
75.0%
Glendale +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Glendale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Glendale
30.2 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 30.2 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, 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 Glendale. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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