Aurora IL vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 63.2% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 2.6% | 2.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 20.8% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $60,713 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $580,126 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 46.8% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1931 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.2% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 52.8°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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