Aurora IL vs Little Rock 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 36.4 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 7.9% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 46.4% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 10.4% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $60,583 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $53,714 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 16.4% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 54.2% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Little Rock, 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 +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 40.5% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.1% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.5% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.3% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 62.7°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 50.0 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Aurora +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Little Rock, 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
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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%.
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