Aurora IL vs Richmond CA — 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Richmond
115,396
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Richmond
37.6
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 115,396 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 37.6 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 63.2% | 21.4% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 17.3% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Richmond
7.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Richmond
32.6%
Richmond +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $41,898 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 7.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 32.6% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Richmond
$608,357
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Richmond
52.5%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $608,357 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 52.5% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Richmond
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Richmond
2388
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Richmond
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Richmond
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Richmond
11.9%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 32.9% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.9% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.8% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.9% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Richmond
58.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 58.5°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 24.9 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 37.7 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 503 in Richmond. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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