Asheville NC vs Aurora IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Aurora, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Aurora
24,510
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Aurora
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Aurora
39.7
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Aurora
14.1%
White
Asheville
N/A
Aurora
63.2%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Aurora
2.6%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Aurora
1.5%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Aurora
37.1%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Aurora
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 24,510 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 39.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 63.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 37.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Aurora
$62,462
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Aurora
$32,181
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Aurora
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Aurora
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Aurora
13.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $62,462 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $32,181 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 13.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Aurora
73.6%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $320,635 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 73.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Aurora
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Aurora
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Aurora
15.9%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Aurora
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Aurora
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 35.9% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.4% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 15.9% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 15.2% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.5% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.7% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 50.2°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 37.7 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
Aurora
55.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Asheville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Aurora
26.6 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 26.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Asheville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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