Aurora IL vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Santa Ana
91,535
Santa Ana +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Aurora +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 91,535 | Santa Ana + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 42.9 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 63.2% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 2.6% | 4.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 16.4% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $865,610 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 28.8% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Aurora +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.0% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.7% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 20.7% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 65.6°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 28.0 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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