Aurora IL vs Springfield MO — 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%
Springfield, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Springfield
1.7%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 169,432 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 3.8% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 2.6% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.7% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 5.6% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $45,984 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $30,864 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,527 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 19.4% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 30.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 42.9% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 501 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2418 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 37.7% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 20.0% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 17.1% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 56.3°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 45.6 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,279. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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