Aurora IL vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Rochester
26,509
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Rochester
38.7
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 26,509 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 38.7 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 7.1% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 2.6% | 3.6% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 3.9% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $344,633 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1992 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.4% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 28.3 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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