Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Fort Smith?

Fort Smith, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $780 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 44% below Aurora, IL's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Fort Smith?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $24,000 in Fort Smith.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Fort Smith?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Fort Smith under Arkansas's (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Fort Smith Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,390/mo est.

Fort Smith

Arkansas

$780/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,390 in Aurora, IL versus $780 in Fort Smith, AR. Overall, Fort Smith, AR is roughly 44% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $52,692 in Fort Smith, AR — about 42% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Fort Smith, AR

Rent

Studio

$893

$634

+29% in Aurora, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$603

+49% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$863

+44% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,087

+40% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$168,100

+35% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$52,692

+42% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$39,560

+28% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

36.6 yr

+1.4 yr in Fort Smith, AR

Homeownership

66.8%

53.0%

+13.8 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

25.3%

+11.9 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

17.3 min

+10.7 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

844.7

+214% in Fort Smith, AR

Property Crime

1,247.4

3,697.6

+196% in Fort Smith, AR

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

49.9°F

61.7°F

+11.8°F in Fort Smith, AR

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

45.5 in

+8.6 in in Fort Smith, AR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Aurora, IL

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

14.1

+29% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$27.86

+41% in Fort Smith, AR

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Aurora, IL

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Fort Smith, AR

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Aurora, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Aurora, IL

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Aurora, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — Midwest vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / AR)

6.25%

6.5%

+0.3 pp in AR

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

3.90%

+1.1 pp in IL

Aurora vs Fort Smith — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Fort Smith?: Fort Smith, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $780 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 44% below Aurora, IL's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Fort Smith?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $24,000 in Fort Smith.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Fort Smith?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Fort Smith under Arkansas's (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).