Aurora IL vs Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Aurora +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 63.2% | 31.9% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 2.1% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 16.1% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $720,443 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 41.2% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.7% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 59.2°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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