Aurora IL vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Lansing
10.1%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Lansing
56.1%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Lansing
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 112,546 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 10.1% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 56.1% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 23.4% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 12.9% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Aurora +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Lansing
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $52,170 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $29,894 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,052 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 8.1% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 19.9% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 29.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Lansing
53.9%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 53.9% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 471 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Lansing
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 39.9% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.4% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.6% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.4% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.8% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Aurora +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Lansing
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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