Aurora IL vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Waco
9.8%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 9.8% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 54.0% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 29.9% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $51,468 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $28,819 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 24.0% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 48.9% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Aurora +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.8% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.0% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 20.4% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 20.4% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.1% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 66.6°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 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