Aurora IL vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 63.2% | 36.1% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 15.2% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Aurora +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $60,698 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,080 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 8.4% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 22.0% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 52.3% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 57.1°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 48.5 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Aurora +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 34.5 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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