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.
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.
Located in the state of Illinois, Aurora is a moderately-sized city with a population of 199,326 inhabitants. With a population density of 4,433 people per square mile, Aurora is well above the nation's average density level. 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. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Aurora your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 29 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
Living in Aurora can be a fulfilling experience for anyone relocating to the area. Having said that, in the state of Illinois, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. The best areas in Aurora and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, cost of living, health & safety, education, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Illinois and national averages.
Aurora, IL receives 74 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #184 in Illinois and #3,735 in the USA. If we take a closer look at each of the categories on their own, we see that Aurora ranks well for crime (B+), cost of living (B), employment (A) and housing (A+). Aurora does not do well for the following: amenities (F) and education (F). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to 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.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Aurora. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Aurora are affordable. The median home price for Aurora homes is $194,100, which is 11% 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 2.6, which is 13.3% 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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