Aurora IL vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 11.6% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 53.6% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 13.3% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $62,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,697 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 15.7% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 34.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Indianapolis
55.3%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 55.3% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Indianapolis
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 370 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 41.8 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Aurora +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 25.8 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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