Aurora IL vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Aurora +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 63.2% | 21.8% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 1.4% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Salinas
15.5%
Salinas +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $28,813 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 15.5% | Salinas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $751,711 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 47.0% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Aurora +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.4% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.2% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 22.4% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.9% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 57.3°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 28.8 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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