Aurora IL vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 11.0% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 2.6% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 9.2% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $52,606 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 15.7% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $332,727 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 53.6% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 55.6°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 45.2 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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