Aurora IL vs Richmond VA — 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, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Richmond
2.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 8.6% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 43.2% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 10.3% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 18.8% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $374,265 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 43.5% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.7% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.3% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.8% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.9% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 58.9°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 43.6 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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