Aurora, IL vs Bowie, MD
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
Bowie
69.4
#1212 nationally
Bowie leads in median household income ($138,797 vs $85,943). Aurora leads in walk score (40 vs 25). Bowie leads in crime level (5.3 vs 7.3).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Bowie, MD |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.2 (#764) | 69.4 (#1212) |
| Population | 177,563 | 57,254 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $326,890 | $526,880 |
| Median Household Income | $85,943 | $138,797 |
| Average Commute | 28.6 min | 36.1 min |
| Walk Score | 40 | 25 |
| Crime Level | 7.3 | 5.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 134 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+13.3 | D+75.2 |
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+
69.4 Score
Bowie, MD
Maryland community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$526,880
Population
57,254
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
25
Northeast
View Bowie, MD →