Aurora, IL, known as "The City of Lights," is famous for its historic architecture and vibrant arts scene. Located in the western suburbs of Chicago, Aurora is approximately 40 miles west of downtown Chicago and 20 miles east of DeKalb. This medium-sized city offers a blend of urban amenities and suburban charm, making it a great place to live.
Aurora's climate features cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers, providing a variety of seasonal activities. The city boasts numerous parks and outdoor spaces, including the scenic Phillips Park and the expansive Blackberry Farm, which offer trails, gardens, and recreational opportunities year-round.
Aurora is renowned for its cultural attractions, with institutions such as the Paramount Theatre, the Aurora Regional Fire Museum, and the SciTech Hands-On Museum. The city hosts numerous events and festivals, including the Aurora Arts Weekend and the Aurora Farmers Market, which celebrate the city's artistic and cultural achievements.
Education is a key focus in Aurora, with several higher education institutions, including Aurora University and Waubonsee Community College, contributing to the city's vibrant academic environment. The city's public and private schools are well-regarded, making it an attractive place for families. The strong emphasis on education supports a knowledgeable and skilled workforce.
Living in Aurora combines the benefits of urban living with the warmth of a close-knit community. Residents have access to top-notch healthcare facilities, a thriving job market, and diverse dining and shopping options. The city's efficient public transportation system, including buses and the Metra train, makes commuting and exploring the area convenient. With its rich history, cultural vibrancy, and welcoming atmosphere, Aurora offers a dynamic and fulfilling living experience.
Commute
High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.
Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Employment
The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Health & Safety
Poor air quality and the inaccessibility of certain health related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies could have all contributed to the low score in this category.
Schools
Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.
Aurora, Illinois is a highly populated city with a population of 206,020 inhabitants. In Aurora, there are 4,590 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. More than a quarter of the residents of Aurora identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 35% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Aurora, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 29 minutes.
Whether you’re moving to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Aurora could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Illinois if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, education, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Aurora and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Aurora to Illinois and the national average.
Using data and statistics Aurora has received a livability score of 71 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 79th percentile when compared to all other cities. If we examine each of the categories individually, we see that Aurora ranks well for employment (A) and housing (A+). On a more negative note, Aurora does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F), crime (D) and education (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Aurora can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Assuming that Aurora meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Aurora. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Aurora are simply unattainable. The median home price for Aurora homes is $349,214, which is 13.2% higher than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Aurora, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.2, which is 8.6% lower than the Illinois average.
| Statistic | Aurora | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 29min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 74.3% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 12.3% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 4.4% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.1% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.1% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.2% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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