Aurora IL vs Waterbury CT — 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%
Waterbury, CT
Connecticut · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$280,921
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Aurora
63.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 63.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 2.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Aurora +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 40.5% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.1% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.1% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 18.5% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.2% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Waterbury, CT | 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
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Waterbury +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Waterbury + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Waterbury offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $280,921. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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