Aurora IL vs Lancaster 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 13.9% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 35.5% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Aurora +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Lancaster
20.1%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $29,766 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 7.1% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 20.1% | Lancaster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Lancaster
58.4%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $466,147 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 58.4% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lancaster, 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%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.6% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.3% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.0% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 62.1°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 33.0 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 Lancaster. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
Compare More Cities
Aurora, IL vs New York, NYAurora, IL vs Los Angeles, CAAurora, IL vs Chicago, ILAurora, IL vs Houston, TXAurora, IL vs Phoenix, AZAurora, IL vs Philadelphia, PA