Aurora IL vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Portland
68,505
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Portland
11.1%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 68,505 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 11.1% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 2.6% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 3.1% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $61,587 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $561,069 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 46.7% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.8% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 18.3% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 47.3 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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