Aurora Home Prices: $339K, Up 2.7% — 5 ZIPs Analyzed (2026)
$339,411. That’s what a typical home costs in Aurora, IL right now. Prices are up 2.7% from a year ago, and the gap between the cheapest and most expensive ZIP codes is nearly $170,000. Whether you’re priced out of Naperville or looking for a suburban foothold in the Chicago metro, here’s what the numbers say.
Quick answer: The average home price in Aurora, IL is $339,411 as of February 2026, up 2.7% year over year according to Zillow.
Current Home Prices in Aurora
Aurora sits in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area, and its home prices reflect a steady upward climb over the past 12 months. Here’s the snapshot:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $339,411 |
| Year-over-Year Change | +2.7% |
| Lowest ZIP Median | $238,747 |
| Highest ZIP Median | $408,388 |
| ZIP Codes Tracked | 5 |
| Data as of | February 2026 |
The $339K median puts Aurora below neighboring Naperville but above many other collar-county cities. A 2.7% annual gain is modest — not the kind of spike that panics buyers, but enough to mean every month you wait costs you roughly $90 in price appreciation.
The spread between the cheapest and priciest areas is $169,641. That range means Aurora isn’t one market — it’s at least two. Buyers at $240K and buyers at $400K are shopping in the same city but having completely different experiences.
Aurora Home Prices by Neighborhood
All five Aurora ZIP codes are tracked, and they tell a clear story: the east side is affordable, the south and west sides carry a premium.
| ZIP Code | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|
| 60505 | $238,747 | $1,756/mo |
| 60506 | $300,119 | $2,000/mo |
| 60504 | $342,356 | $2,133/mo |
| 60503 | $407,447 | $2,325/mo |
| 60502 | $408,388 | $2,477/mo |
Most Expensive
60502 leads at $408,388 — 20% above the city average — with rents to match at $2,477/month. 60503 is right behind at $407,447, essentially tied, though rents run about $150/month less. 60504 sits at $342,356, close to the citywide median and serving as the middle ground.
Most Affordable
60505 is the clear value play at $238,747, nearly 30% below the city average and the only ZIP under $300K. Rents here are $1,756/month — the lowest in the city. 60506 comes in at $300,119, a step up but still $39K under the median.
Rent vs Buy in Aurora
Rents in Aurora range from $1,756 to $2,477 per month depending on the ZIP code. How does that compare to buying?
At a 6.5% mortgage rate with 10% down, here’s a rough monthly payment estimate (principal and interest only) for each ZIP:
| ZIP Code | Home Value | Est. Mortgage P&I | Median Rent | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60505 | $238,747 | ~$1,359 | $1,756 | Buying saves ~$397/mo |
| 60506 | $300,119 | ~$1,708 | $2,000 | Buying saves ~$292/mo |
| 60504 | $342,356 | ~$1,949 | $2,133 | Buying saves ~$184/mo |
| 60503 | $407,447 | ~$2,320 | $2,325 | About even |
| 60502 | $408,388 | ~$2,325 | $2,477 | Buying saves ~$152/mo |
In every ZIP code, buying is either cheaper or roughly equal to renting on a pure monthly payment basis. The gap is largest in 60505, where buying saves nearly $400/month before you factor in taxes and insurance. Add those costs back in and the math tightens, but Aurora leans toward favoring buyers — especially in the affordable east side.
Population Growth and Migration
Aurora is Illinois’ second-largest city with 180,710 residents as of 2024. Growth has been nearly flat — just 0.2% over four years — but the trend reversed after a small dip.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 180,260 |
| 2021 | 179,448 |
| 2022 | 179,195 |
| 2023 | 179,660 |
| 2024 | 180,710 |
Aurora lost about 1,000 residents between 2020 and 2022, then gained them back and then some. The 2024 figure is the highest on record in this dataset.
How does that compare to other Illinois cities?
| City | 2024 Population | 4-Year Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Champaign | 91,961 | +4.0% |
| Naperville | 153,124 | +2.5% |
| Joliet | 151,837 | +1.0% |
| Aurora | 180,710 | +0.2% |
| Elgin | 114,701 | 0.0% |
| Waukegan | 88,570 | -0.6% |
Aurora’s growth trails Naperville and Joliet, but it isn’t shrinking like Waukegan. The flat population means housing demand isn’t surging from new arrivals — price gains are coming from limited supply and broader metro trends rather than a migration boom.
Aurora Housing Market Trends
Here’s how Aurora’s median home price has moved over the past 12 months:
| Month | Median Price | Low ZIP | High ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2026 | $339,411 | $238,747 | $408,388 |
| Jan 2026 | $338,322 | $238,213 | $407,314 |
| Dec 2025 | $337,227 | $237,660 | $406,241 |
| Nov 2025 | $336,132 | $237,050 | $405,238 |
| Oct 2025 | $335,158 | $236,280 | $404,584 |
| Sep 2025 | $334,585 | $235,783 | $404,182 |
| Aug 2025 | $333,992 | $234,933 | $403,845 |
| Jul 2025 | $333,480 | $234,113 | $403,487 |
| Jun 2025 | $332,841 | $233,335 | $403,214 |
| May 2025 | $332,320 | $233,185 | $402,727 |
| Apr 2025 | $331,605 | $232,991 | $401,988 |
| Mar 2025 | $330,571 | $232,513 | $400,618 |
Twelve straight months of gains. Not a single down month. The total climb from March 2025 to February 2026 was $8,840, or about $737 per month. The pace picked up slightly in late 2025 — the November-to-February gain was $3,279, averaging $1,093/month.
Is Aurora a Good Place to Buy in 2026?
The data points to a stable, gradually appreciating market. A 2.7% annual gain won’t make you rich, but it won’t leave you underwater either.
Aurora’s strongest case: the rent-vs-buy math. When mortgage payments undercut rents in most ZIP codes, the financial case for buying is straightforward. You build equity instead of paying a landlord more money.
The risk factors are equally clear. Population growth is essentially zero. If the broader Chicago metro economy weakens, Aurora has no internal migration engine to prop up demand. And the 60502/60503 ZIPs at $408K are pushing into Naperville-adjacent territory — at that price point, buyers might prefer the original.
For buyers in the $240K-$340K range, Aurora offers something uncommon in the Chicago suburbs: homes that are cheaper to own than to rent, in a city large enough to have real infrastructure and services.
Aurora Housing Market Outlook for 2026-2027
The 12-month trend shows consistent, unbroken gains averaging about $737/month. The pace has accelerated slightly in recent months — the last three months averaged $1,093/month compared to $737 for the full year.
If the current pace continues, Aurora’s median could reach $345K-$350K by mid-2026. The 3-month trend suggests mild momentum building rather than a plateau.
There’s nothing in this data to signal a reversal. No months of decline, no flattening pattern. But 2.7% growth is moderate enough that even a small economic disruption — rising rates, Chicago-area layoffs — could stall it. Expect slow, steady gains barring external shocks.
Similar Markets in IL
If you’re considering Aurora, these nearby Illinois cities might also fit your search:
- Chicago — The city itself offers a wide price range, from affordable south side ZIPs to million-dollar north side homes.
- Naperville — Aurora’s wealthier neighbor to the east, with higher prices but faster population growth.
- Joliet — Further south along I-80, Joliet often runs cheaper than Aurora with similar commute options.
- Elgin — A fellow Fox River city north of Aurora with flat population growth and comparable pricing.
- Plainfield — A fast-growing suburb between Aurora and Joliet worth comparing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average home price in Aurora?
The average home price in Aurora, IL is $339,411 as of February 2026. That’s the citywide median across all five tracked ZIP codes. Individual ZIPs range from $238,747 in 60505 to $408,388 in 60502.
Are home prices going up or down in Aurora?
Prices are going up. Aurora’s median rose 2.7% year over year, and the city has posted 12 consecutive months of gains from March 2025 through February 2026. The increases have been gradual — roughly $737 per month on average.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Aurora?
In most of Aurora, buying is cheaper than renting on a monthly basis. In ZIP 60505, a mortgage runs about $397/month less than the median rent. Even in the priciest ZIPs, mortgage payments roughly match rent. Factor in taxes and insurance and the gap narrows, but the math generally favors buyers here.
What is the most affordable neighborhood in Aurora?
ZIP code 60505 is the most affordable at $238,747 — nearly 30% below the citywide median. Rents in 60505 are also the lowest in the city at $1,756/month. It’s the best entry point for budget-conscious buyers.
Methodology
Home values are based on the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), a smoothed measure of typical home values in the 35th to 65th percentile range. Rent estimates use the Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Population figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (2020-2024 vintage). All datasets are publicly available. Housing data updated 2026-02-28.