Aurora IL vs Macon GA — 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%
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Macon
61,773
Macon +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Macon
2.0%
Macon +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Macon
19.8%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 61,773 | Macon + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 35.2 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 63.2% | 43.7% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.0% | Macon + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 19.8% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $57,405 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 47.2% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Macon
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Macon
1752
Macon +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 392 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1752 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Macon, GA | 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 +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 64.6°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 45.7 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Aurora +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Macon
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 30.2 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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