Aurora IL vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
New Orleans
38.4
New Orleans +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 38.4 | New Orleans + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 6.6% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 31.6% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 7.9% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Aurora +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $55,339 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $55,297 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 7.8% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 22.6% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 50.5% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 643 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2824 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.1% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.4% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 19.7% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.5% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 66.6 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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