Aurora, IL vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Aurora
73.2
#764 nationally
Boston
66.2
#1568 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 40). Aurora leads in cost of living index (105 vs 155). Aurora leads in average commute (28.6 min vs 30.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Boston, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.2 (#764) | 66.2 (#1568) |
| Population | 177,563 | 684,379 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $326,890 | $787,763 |
| Median Household Income | $85,943 | $81,744 |
| Average Commute | 28.6 min | 30.2 min |
| Walk Score | 40 | 83 |
| Crime Level | 7.3 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 155 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+13.3 | D+52.5 |
C
73.2 Score
Aurora, IL
Mid-size Illinois city with community character
Median Home
$326,890
Population
177,563
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Aurora, IL →
D
66.2 Score
Boston, MA
Innovation hub with historic charm
Median Home
$787,763
Population
684,379
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Northeast
View Boston, MA →