City comparison
Yes. Chicago's crime index is 167 versus 212 in Aurora, and its violent crime index is 139 versus 248, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Chicago is cheaper. Median rent is $1,440 a month versus $1,835 in Aurora.
The cost gap between Chicago and Aurora is the real story here. Chicago comes in 22% cheaper on typical rent ($1,440 vs $1,835), which over a year adds up to $4,740. Median household income runs $77,902 in Chicago and $88,368 in Aurora.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Chicago costs less and Aurora pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Chicago at $1,440 average has pockets that run $1,240 and others at $1,840: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Chicago and Aurora are 909 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $1,835 a month in Aurora, up $395 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $88,368 in Aurora, up $10,466 (13%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 212 in Aurora, up 45 points (27%).
The move
Aurora and Chicago are 909 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,835 a month in Aurora to $1,440 a month in Chicago, down $395 a month (22%).
Median household income goes from $88,368 in Aurora to $77,902 in Chicago, down $10,466 (12%).
The crime index goes from 212 in Aurora to 167 in Chicago, down 45 points (21%).
Chicago, IL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Aurora, CO
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Chicago and Aurora? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
22% cheaper
Chicago rent is 22% cheaper than Aurora
Chicago
Winner$1,440/mo
Aurora
$1,835/mo
Typical rent runs $1,440 a month in Chicago versus $1,835 in Aurora, so Chicago is 22% cheaper. That's roughly $395/month back in your pocket ($4,740/year). Over five years that's $23,700 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Aurora, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Chicago is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Chicago? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
13% higher
Aurora's median income is 13% higher than Chicago
Chicago
$77,902
Aurora
Winner$88,368
Median household income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $77,902 in Chicago, so typical pay runs 13% higher in Aurora (about $10,466 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Aurora is the stronger labor market on paper. Chicago can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
21% lower crime
Chicago's crime index is 21% lower than Aurora
Chicago
Winner167 (100 = avg)
Aurora
212 (100 = avg)
Chicago's crime index is 167 versus 212 in Aurora (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 21% lower in Chicago. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Chicago is the easier city. Aurora can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
14% more comfortable
Aurora weather is 14% more comfortable than Chicago
Chicago
53°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 66/100
Aurora
Winner56°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 75/100
Chicago averages about 53°F (60°F highs); Aurora averages about 56°F (65°F highs). Chicago averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Aurora averages around 56°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Aurora scores 14% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Chicago if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Chicago is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 22% cheaper here at about $1,440 a month. Choose Chicago if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Chicago is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 21% lower than Aurora (167 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 13% higher ($88,368), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 56°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,440/month in Chicago versus $1,835 in Aurora. Median income reads $77,902 in Chicago and $88,368 in Aurora, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Chicago rent at $1,440/month is still below Aurora's $1,835, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $77,902 in Chicago.
Chicago clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Aurora deserves a serious look only when your $88,368 income offer in Aurora outweighs saving $395/month in Chicago.
Common questions
Ready to move to Chicago?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Chicago when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Chicago and Aurora, plus other cities in IL and CO.
