Aurora IL vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Madison
11.6%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 11.6% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 2.6% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 9.3% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $61,837 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 16.2% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $429,253 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 46.6% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.5% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 20.8% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Madison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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