Aurora IL vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
South Bend
1.7%
South Bend +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 8.9% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 54.1% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.7% | South Bend + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 17.3% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $52,512 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $29,511 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,697 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 22.6% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 58.8% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 370 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 39.7% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.2% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 20.3% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 18.2% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 38.0 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Aurora +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
Compare More Cities
Aurora, IL vs New York, NYAurora, IL vs Los Angeles, CAAurora, IL vs Chicago, ILAurora, IL vs Houston, TXAurora, IL vs Phoenix, AZAurora, IL vs Philadelphia, PA