Aurora IL vs New Bedford 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
New Bedford
1.5%
New Bedford +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
New Bedford
24.5%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 100,731 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 37.0 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 63.2% | 57.5% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 6.0% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.5% | New Bedford + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 24.5% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Aurora +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
New Bedford
16.8%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $56,025 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $30,475 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 7.6% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 19.9% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 16.8% | New Bedford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $439,767 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 40.0% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.3% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.2% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 22.0% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 21.4% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 51.8°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 51.9 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 27.2 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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