Aurora IL vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 12.2% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 59.4% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 13.1% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $496,966 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 56.5% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tacoma, 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%
Aurora +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 37.3% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.7% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.9% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 53.5°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 39.2 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 31.1 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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