Aurora IL vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 63.2% | 61.8% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 8.2% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $871,599 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 44.3% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 383 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3409 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 19.0% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 52.6°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 28.8 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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