Aurora IL vs Houston 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 63.2% | 35.5% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.7% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 19.7% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 42.0% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Houston, 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%
Aurora +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Houston
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Aurora +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 38.0% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.9% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.1% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 24.0% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.6% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 48.7 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 29.6 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 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 Phoenix, AZAurora, IL vs Philadelphia, PAAurora, IL vs San Antonio, TX