Aurora IL vs Rochester NY — 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 8.3% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 41.5% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 20.0% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Aurora +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $46,628 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $30,451 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 7.9% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 26.6% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 37.2% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 434 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 38.0% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.3% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.8% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.6% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 34.3 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, NY | 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
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, 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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