Aurora IL vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 12.1% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 51.9% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 10.3% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Aurora +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $45,845 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $27,570 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 7.4% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 29.6% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 41.3% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 434 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 41.5% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.7% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 20.8% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.1% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 41.5 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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