Aurora IL vs Lubbock TX — 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%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Lubbock
36.8%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 6.2% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 2.6% | 8.3% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.8% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 36.8% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Lubbock
$60,487
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Lubbock
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Lubbock
19.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $60,487 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $34,629 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 19.0% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 34.9% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Lubbock
50.8%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 50.8% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Lubbock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Lubbock
2339
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Lubbock
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Lubbock
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Aurora +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Lubbock
13.0%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 35.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.8% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.5% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 18.4% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 17.6% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.0% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Lubbock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Lubbock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lubbock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Lubbock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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