Aurora IL vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 119,970 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 63.2% | 26.4% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.3% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Aurora +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Hartford
18.3%
Hartford +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $45,300 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $27,319 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 10.6% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 25.5% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 18.3% | Hartford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 25.8% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Aurora +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 40.4% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.8% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 20.8% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 20.3% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.3% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Hartford
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 50.6°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 45.9 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 24.4 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
Compare More Cities
Aurora, IL vs New York, NYAurora, IL vs Los Angeles, CAAurora, IL vs Chicago, ILAurora, IL vs Houston, TXAurora, IL vs Phoenix, AZAurora, IL vs Philadelphia, PA