Aurora IL vs Pasadena CA — 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%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Pasadena
67,231
Pasadena +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Aurora +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Pasadena
48.4%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Aurora +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 67,231 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 42.5 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 63.2% | 48.4% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 2.2% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 7.1% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Pasadena
54.2%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $1,215,642 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 54.2% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.4% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 67.0°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 21.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pasadena + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 24.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, 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 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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