Aurora IL vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 98,677 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 38.0 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 7.5% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 57.5% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 8.6% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $52,671 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 19.7% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 51.7% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 41.9% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.9% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.4% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.7% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 56.0°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 44.5 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke 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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