Aurora IL vs Fort Smith 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%
Fort Smith, AR
Arkansas · Population: 89,496
- Median HH Income$52,692
- Median Home Price$195,664
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+25.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Fort Smith
11.7%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Fort Smith
61.2%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Fort Smith
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 89,496 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 36.6 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 11.7% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 61.2% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 20.0% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $52,692 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $33,991 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $53,714 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 18.3% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 25.3% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 53.0% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fort Smith, 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%
Aurora +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Aurora +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 37.0% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.8% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.7% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.3% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 17.2% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 61.7°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 +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fort Smith, 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
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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