Aurora IL vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 9.3% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 2.6% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 4.2% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,080 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 19.5% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 47.2% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 51.8°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 39.3 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Aurora +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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