Living in Aurora, IL
Aurora is the 148th-largest city in the US, home to about 182,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (103.6 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 181,505+0.5% since 2020
- Median home value
- $274,8002.9 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,596/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $93,633median, per year
- Price level
- 103.6US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 31° / 84°lows 16° / 65°
- Average commute
- 27 min16% work from home
- State income tax
- 4.95%top rate, flat
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County: Kane County, DuPage County, Will County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 679 ft
Metro area: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Cost of living in Aurora
The median home in Aurora is worth $274,800 and the median household earns $93,633 a year, so a typical home costs about 2.9 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,596 a month, about 20% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area at 103.6, with housing at 112.0 and goods at 107.3 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $77,700 here. Illinois taxes wages at a top rate of 4.95% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Illinois is 8.98%.
What would my salary be worth in Aurora?
Aurora weather
Average highs run from 30°F in January to 84°F in July, and January nights average 16°F. It gets 40 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 28 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 134 times a year. The most comfortable months are July to October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Aurora
People and work
The median resident is 35.2 years old, and 38% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 66% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 27 minutes; 16% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 35.2197th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 39%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 66%of households
- People per sq mile
- 4,02845.1 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 3%2% walk, 0.1% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.8%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 9.5%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1987median year
Who moves to Aurora, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Phoenix (Maricopa County), Los Angeles (Los Angeles County) and Las Vegas (Clark County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Phoenix (Maricopa County), Cape Coral (Lee County) and Los Angeles (Los Angeles County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Kane County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: cold wave, tornado, inland flooding, lightning.
Home prices
+6% in a year
Up 53% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Elgin, IL (MSAD) area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
30% good days
32 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Aurora
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Rate Field 33 miles
- Wrigley Field 34 miles
- University of Chicago 34 miles
- University of Illinois Chicago 32 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Aurora
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| O'Hare International Airport ORD | 24 mi | 38,575,693 |
| Midway International Airport MDW | 26 mi | 10,360,093 |
| Chicago Rockford International Airport RFD | 52 mi | 132,154 |
| Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport MKE | 84 mi | 3,104,054 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Aurora
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of DuPage | 11 mi | 16,114 | $5,165 | 24% |
| Chamberlain University-Illinois | 17 mi | 14,027 | $38,263 | 35% |
| Waubonsee Community College | 11 mi | 5,721 | $2,551 | 44% |
| Lewis University | 14 mi | 4,015 | $17,318 | 57% |
| Aurora University | 5 mi | 3,974 | $19,385 | 61% |
| Elmhurst University | 19 mi | 3,006 | $23,165 | 64% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Aurora
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 19, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 13 and the first frost comes around October 23.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Aurora, IL, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Aurora.
Wildfire smoke in Aurora
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Aurora on about 136 days a year, including about 35 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Aurora
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 61,317 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Aurora
Downtown Aurora is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Prairie Community Unit School District 204 | Pre-K to 12 | 26,108 | 34 | 14.5 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Plainfield School District 202 (24,556 students), Oswego Community Unit School District 308 (16,766 students), Naperville Community Unit District 203 (16,047 students), Valley View Community Unit School District 365U (14,710 students), Aurora East Unit School District 131 (12,187 students), St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 (11,731 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Aurora's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Aurora's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Livonia, MI79% matchCompare
- New Haven, CT78% matchCompare
- Sterling Heights, MI78% matchCompare
- Southfield, MI76% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Aurora
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Aurora
- Wilmot Mountain 51 miles
- Alpine Valley Resort 68 miles
- Little Switzerland 109 miles
- Chestnut Mountain 116 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Aurora
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 2.9 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
Cons
- Data Air quality is a concern: 32 days in 2025 were unhealthy at least for sensitive groups (EPA).
Aurora report card from locals
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Aurora through locals' eyes
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Cities near Aurora
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naperville, IL | 6 mi | 153,114 | $540,200 | 103.6 | Compare |
| Elgin, IL | 19 mi | 115,476 | $273,000 | 103.6 | Compare |
| Joliet, IL | 19 mi | 152,241 | $265,800 | 103.6 | Compare |
| Schaumburg, IL | 21 mi | 77,249 | $330,400 | 103.6 | Compare |
| Cicero, IL | 26 mi | 81,858 | $249,400 | 103.6 | Compare |
| Arlington Heights, IL | 27 mi | 76,216 | $414,500 | 103.6 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Aurora ranks 59th of 177 in our best suburbs of Chicago ranking.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Aurora with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Aurora a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show homes that cost under four years of median income. Compare Aurora side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Aurora?
The Census Bureau estimates Aurora had 181,505 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 180,556 in April 2020 (+0.5%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Aurora?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $77,700 in the Aurora area. The median household here earns $93,633.
When is the best time to visit Aurora?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, July to October are the most comfortable months. July averages 84°F and January 30°F for daytime highs.
What county is Aurora in?
Aurora spans Kane County (60%), DuPage County (29%), Will County (7%), Kendall County (3%) by share of the city's land. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Aurora in?
Aurora is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Aurora?
About 679 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Illinois have a state income tax?
Yes. Illinois has a flat income tax with a top rate of 4.95% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Aurora. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Aurora, IL station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.