Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Aurora, IL
VS
Renton, WA
🏆 Aurora leads 14 of 23 categories
Aurora
Illinois
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,943
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
181,405 ✓ Larger
Renton
Washington
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,292 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
89
Population
105,355
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Aurora, IL
Pros
Homes cost $335k less ($241,600 vs $576,800)
22% less violent crime than Renton
Rent averages $402/mo less ($1,462 vs $1,864)
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Renton
Smaller class sizes — 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Higher unemployment (5.6% vs 4.2%)
Median income trails Renton by $6,349/yr
Renton, WA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (4.2%)
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 31°F
Households earn $6,349 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 84°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $576,800
Higher rents — median is $1,864/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Property crime (3313.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Aurora
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Aurora
Violent Crime
22% lower
266.0 vs 339.2 per 100k
Aurora
Median Home Value
$335k less
$241,600 vs $576,800
Aurora
Summer Heat
6.8°F warmer
July avg high 84.0°F vs 77.2°F
Renton
Median Income
$6,349
$92,292 vs $85,943/yr
Renton
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Renton, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $241,600 ✓ Lower | $576,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,462⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,864⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,943 | $92,292 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.6 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 30.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 12.1% | 16.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 66 ✓ Safer | 117⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 89 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 60 ✓ Safer | 158⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 35.2% | 36.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 80.9% | 89.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Indian Prairie CUSD 204 | Renton School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.5°F | 48.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F ✓ Warmer | 77.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.5" ✓ Drier | 44.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 27.9" | 6.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 181,405 ✓ Larger | 105,355 |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 36.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.8% ✓ Higher | 53.6% |
| Under 18 | 26.7% ✓ More | 20.6% |
| Over 65 | 10.5% | 12.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Aurora's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Renton's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Aurora is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Aurora leads 14 of 23 categories. Aurora wins 14 and Renton wins 9. 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 Renton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($241,600 vs $576,800 median home), income ($85,943 vs $92,292), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Aurora, IL and Renton, WA are about 1,699 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.