Aurora IL vs Fayetteville NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Fayetteville
7.6%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Fayetteville
38.3%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Fayetteville
13.0%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 209,692 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 7.6% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 38.3% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 42.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 13.0% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Fayetteville
$56,395
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
Fayetteville
$31,467
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Fayetteville
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Aurora +
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Fayetteville
18.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $56,395 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $31,467 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 8.2% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 18.1% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 28.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Fayetteville
46.5%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $226,710 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 46.5% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Fayetteville
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Fayetteville
1999
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 398 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1999 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Fayetteville
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Fayetteville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Fayetteville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Fayetteville
14.9%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 40.4% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.6% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.8% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.9% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Fayetteville
45.4 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 61.2°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 45.4 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 20.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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