Aurora IL vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 63.2% | 40.7% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Aurora +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $64,538 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 7.4% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 20.1% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $429,449 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 41.2% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Providence
12.1%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.5% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.6% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.1% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 27.4 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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