Aurora IL vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Washington
13.3%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 13.3% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 39.1% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 11.6% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $580,173 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 41.1% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 398 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1999 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 24.0% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 32.8 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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