Aurora IL vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 114,799 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 63.2% | 50.9% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 19.3% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 16.0% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $484,226 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 44.0% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.5% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.1% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 47.0 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 30.1 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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