Aurora, Illinois
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Aurora.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Aurora?
Aurora planning snapshot: population 180,710, housing index 100 (near the U.S. housing-cost baseline), median home $260,400, median rent $1,535, and income near $90,109. Expect 83°F summer highs, 18°F winter lows, and about 30-minute one-way commutes. Violent-offense rates run about 258.3 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 100U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $260,400U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,535U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $90,109U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 3.7%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 30 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 258.3per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 83°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Aurora compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 180,710City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $90,109Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year15% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 100ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg (100)U.S. 100 - Median home value
- $260,400City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year14% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,535City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year14% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 3.7%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 30 min20% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 4011% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 258.3annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)56% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 1008.1annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)67% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 83°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals4.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 18°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals16.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 33.8 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (33 in)U.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 239As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals11% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Aurora declined 8.8% from 198,207 in 2010 to 180,710 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Aurora expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Aurora runs 0 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 100 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $260,400 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,535 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Aurora?
Budget first around $1,535/month rent or $260,400 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $260,400
- Median rent $1,535/month
- Median household income $90,109
What is the job market like in Aurora?
Labor-market context for Aurora: unemployment 3.7% and median income $90,109. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 3.7% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $90,109
How long is the typical commute in Aurora?
Plan on roughly 30 minutes each way in Aurora. Walk Score estimates around 40 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 30 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 40/100
Is Aurora safer than similar U.S. cities?
Aurora's FBI-derived violent rate (~258.3/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 258.3 per 100k
- Property 1008.1 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Aurora?
Aurora's climate profile: 83°F summer peaks, 18°F winter mornings, 33.8" annual rainfall, and 239 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 83°F
- Winter low 18°F
- 33.8 in rain · 239 sunny days
Great Lakes winters and a dense rail/road grid define regional mobility. Winter lows around 18°F mean heating costs and snow logistics belong on the checklist. Average one-way commute time is about 30 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 40/100. Labor-market readings near 3.7% unemployment are neither boom nor bust by national standards. Violent-offense rates around 258.3 per 100k are moderate for a large U.S. city, with meaningful variation by neighborhood.
About 180,710 people live in Aurora, IL. With median income around $90,109 and a cost index of 100, the market reads close to the national housing-cost baseline. Entry home prices around $260,400 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Aurora is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Aurora with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Aurora city, 1600000US1703012) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Kane County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00004808 CHICAGO AURORA MUNI AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10