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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Aurora, IL vs Chicago, IL

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Chicago spends 55.7% more per capita than Aurora ($19,250/person difference). Aurora, IL has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 87/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Aurora, IL
Pop. 181,405
A
87/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden91
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency89
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Chicago, IL
Pop. 2,721,914
C
61/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden61
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency22
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Aurora
Chicago
Total Spending
$2.8B
$94.0B
Spending / Capita
$15,301
$34,551
Total Revenue
$8.3B
$231.6B
Revenue / Capita
$45,546
$85,083
Total Debt
$88.7M
$2.7B
Debt / Capita
$489
$977
Population
181,405
2,721,914
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Aurora$216
Chicago$10,754
Highways & Roads
Aurora$0
Chicago$930
Parks & Recreation
Aurora$494
Chicago$122
Health
Aurora$0
Chicago$426

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AuroraChicago
Property Tax
$0
$26
Sales Tax
$114
$74
Income Tax
$144
$229
Intergovernmental
$2,481
$85,083
Charges & Fees
$2,224
$2,847
Other
$1,114
$3,463

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AuroraChicago
Fire Protection
$216
$10,754
Highways & Roads
$0
$930
Public Welfare
$922
$1,858
Health
$0
$426
Hospitals
$257
$1,444
Parks & Recreation
$494
$122
Housing
$4,836
$6,520
Sewerage
$0
$129
Utilities
$2,366
$2,983
Other
$6,210
$9,385
A
Aurora, IL
Fiscal Health Score: 87/100
Excellent fiscal health
C
Chicago, IL
Fiscal Health Score: 61/100
Average fiscal health

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