Aurora IL vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 63.2% | 16.5% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.9% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Aurora +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Newark
17.4%
Newark +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $48,416 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $25,509 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 10.9% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 24.7% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 17.4% | Newark + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $482,675 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 24.1% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Newark
35.9%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Aurora +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 35.9% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.6% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 20.0% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 23.4% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 18.2% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 54.9°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 46.3 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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