Aurora, IL vs Laurel, 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
Laurel
66.4
#1547 nationally
Aurora leads in crime level (7.3 vs 10.8). Laurel leads in walk score (53 vs 40). Aurora leads in cost of living index (105 vs 125).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Laurel, MD |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.2 (#764) | 66.4 (#1547) |
| Population | 177,563 | 29,400 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $326,890 | $478,130 |
| Median Household Income | $85,943 | $92,035 |
| Average Commute | 28.6 min | 33.5 min |
| Walk Score | 40 | 53 |
| Crime Level | 7.3 | 10.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 125 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+13.3 | D+13.9 |
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
66.4 Score
Laurel, MD
Small Maryland city with local appeal
Median Home
$478,130
Population
29,400
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Northeast
View Laurel, MD →