Aurora IL vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
New York
38.0
New York +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
New York
35.9%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
New York
28.4%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 38.0 | New York + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 63.2% | 35.9% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 28.4% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Aurora +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 7.7% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 17.4% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $816,078 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 32.8% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 434 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
New York
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
New York
16.9%
New York +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.9% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.9% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 55.4°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 46.6 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
New York
75.0%
New York +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 44.2 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New York. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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