Aurora IL vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 12.2% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 39.1% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 12.8% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
North Charleston
15.5%
Tie
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $54,550 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 15.5% | Tie |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 48.5% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Aurora, IL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 398 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1999 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Aurora +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.2% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.5% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.3% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 19.8% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.3% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 26.8 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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