Aurora IL vs Saint Paul 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 63.2% | 53.2% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 9.1% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 15.8% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 53.2% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1992 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 24.1 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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