Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Aurora, IL
VS
Chicago, IL
🏆 Aurora leads 12 of 22 categories
Aurora
Illinois
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,943 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
181,405
Chicago
Illinois
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,673
Violent Crime Index
142⚠ High
Population
2,721,914 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Aurora, IL
Pros
51% less violent crime than Chicago
Homes cost $63k less ($241,600 vs $304,500)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (5.6%)
Households earn $14,270 more per year on average
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,462/mo
Chicago, IL
Pros
Rent averages $148/mo less ($1,314 vs $1,462)
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (539.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Aurora by $14,270/yr
Property crime (3472.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.2% vs 5.6%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Aurora
Median Income
$14,270
$85,943 vs $71,673/yr
Aurora
Violent Crime
51% lower
266.0 vs 539.8 per 100k
Aurora
Median Home Value
$63k less
$241,600 vs $304,500
Aurora
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
5.6% vs 8.2% unemployment
Aurora
Summer Heat
3.0°F warmer
July avg high 84.0°F vs 81.0°F
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 102.6 on the COL index
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 102.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $241,600 ✓ Lower | $304,500 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,462⚠ High | $1,314 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,943 ✓ Higher | $71,673 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.6 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 34.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 12.1% | 15.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 66 ✓ Safer | 151⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 142⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 60 ✓ Safer | 165⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) | A (118) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 35.2% | 42.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 80.9% | 86.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Indian Prairie CUSD 204 | Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.5°F | 31.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F ✓ Warmer | 81.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.5" | 34.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 27.9" ✓ Less | 38.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 181,405 | 2,721,914 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.4 ✓ Older | 35.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.8% ✓ Higher | 45.6% |
| Under 18 | 26.7% ✓ More | 20.0% |
| Over 65 | 10.5% | 13.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Aurora's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Chicago's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Both have a similar overall cost of living.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Aurora leads 12 of 22 categories. Aurora wins 12 and Chicago wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Aurora to Chicago or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($241,600 vs $304,500 median home), income ($85,943 vs $71,673), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Aurora, IL and Chicago, IL are about 32 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.