Aurora IL vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Salem
12.2%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Aurora +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 12.2% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 2.6% | 1.6% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 23.4% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,691 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $438,754 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 55.7% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 355 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3001 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 41.4% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.7% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.8% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.4% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 53.0°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 39.7 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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