Aurora IL vs Irvine 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Aurora +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Irvine
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 308,160 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 33.9 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 63.2% | 38.7% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 2.0% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 11.3% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.5% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 11.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Irvine
43.8%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $1,566,872 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 43.8% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Irvine, 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%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 65.3°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Irvine +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Irvine + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 26.0 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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