Aurora IL vs Renton WA — 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%

Renton, WA

Washington · Population: 75,721

  • Median HH Income$162,099
  • Median Home Price$765,686
  • Unemployment4.1%
  • Bachelor's+74.7%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Aurora
24,510
Renton
75,721
Renton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Aurora +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Renton
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Renton
45.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Renton
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Renton
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Renton
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Renton
40.1 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Renton
75.0%
Renton +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +

Which City is Right for You?

Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.

Compare More Cities

About Aurora & Renton