Aurora IL vs Johnson City TN — 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%
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Johnson City
71,455
Johnson City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 71,455 | Johnson City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 35.1 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 4.6% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 2.6% | 6.3% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.0% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 5.6% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Johnson City
$55,429
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Johnson City
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Johnson City
21.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $55,429 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,097 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 21.1% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Johnson City
49.8%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $294,254 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 49.8% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 639 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2350 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Johnson City
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Johnson City
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Johnson City
17.4%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.2% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.7% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 21.1% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.9% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.3% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 17.4% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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