Aurora IL vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Aurora +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Lakewood
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 38.0 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 8.5% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 2.6% | 1.4% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 22.4% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Lakewood
58.1%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $575,076 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 58.1% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 512 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3234 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 19.7% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 51.4°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 28.6 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, 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 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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