Aurora IL vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Lakeland
82,506
Lakeland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Aurora +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 82,506 | Lakeland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 48.4 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 12.9% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 2.6% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 14.4% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Lakeland
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $60,465 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,328 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 26.8% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Lakeland
61.1%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 61.1% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Aurora +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 38.9% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.3% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.3% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.4% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.1% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 72.6°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 54.8 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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