Aurora IL vs Fayetteville AR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Aurora, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Fayetteville
97,227
Fayetteville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Fayetteville
5.7%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Fayetteville
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 97,227 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 5.7% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 75.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 2.6% | 5.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 7.7% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Fayetteville
$59,074
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Fayetteville
21.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $59,074 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $37,885 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $53,714 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 21.4% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 49.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Fayetteville
$380,101
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Fayetteville
41.9%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $380,101 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 41.9% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 660 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2507 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Fayetteville
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Fayetteville
12.0%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 33.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 20.8% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 17.6% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.0% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Fayetteville
45.5 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 58.2°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 45.5 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Aurora +
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Fayetteville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 19.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while 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 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
Compare More Cities
Aurora, IL vs New York, NYAurora, IL vs Los Angeles, CAAurora, IL vs Chicago, ILAurora, IL vs Houston, TXAurora, IL vs Phoenix, AZAurora, IL vs Philadelphia, PA