Is Aurora expensive to live in?

Aurora is on the pricier side of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,183 per month ranks #41 of 112 and is 10% higher than the $1,080 median.

What is the average rent in Aurora?

Average rent in Aurora, IL runs a studio around $893, a one-bedroom around $1,183, a two-bedroom around $1,550, a three-bedroom around $1,797 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Aurora?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,183 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year. The median household income here is $90,109.

How much does it cost to live in Aurora per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Aurora is about $1,420 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Aurora, IL

Population 179,867 · Illinois

~$1,420/mo est.1BR $1,183Home $260,400

Compare with:

The cost of living in Aurora, IL is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,183 a month — 10% higher than the $1,080 median across the 112 large US cities we track. Studios average $893 and two-bedrooms $1,550.

Median household income here is $90,109, 30% higher than the $69,423 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,420 before food and transport. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,183

Studio

$893

1 Bedroom

$1,183

2 Bedroom

$1,550

3 Bedroom

$1,797

Buying a Home$260,400

Median Home Value

$260,400

Income$90,109

Median Household Income

$90,109

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesMidwest

Milk (gal)

$4.31

Bread (lb)

$1.66

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

Average prices, Midwest (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities23.9¢/kWh

Electricity

23.9¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$15.39/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-05-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.94/gal

Regular Gasoline (Midwest (PADD 2))

$3.94/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-17.

State Taxes (IL)6.25% sales

State Sales Tax

6.25%

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 4.95%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime269.4 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

269.4

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

1,247.4

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Aurora Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 35.2 yrs

Median Age

35.2 yrs

Homeownership

66.8%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

Avg Commute

28.0 min

Climate49.9°F

Avg Annual Temperature

49.9°F

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

Aurora cost of living — FAQ

Is Aurora expensive to live in?: Aurora is on the pricier side of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,183 per month ranks #41 of 112 and is 10% higher than the $1,080 median.
What is the average rent in Aurora?: Average rent in Aurora, IL runs a studio around $893, a one-bedroom around $1,183, a two-bedroom around $1,550, a three-bedroom around $1,797 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Aurora?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,183 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year. The median household income here is $90,109.
How much does it cost to live in Aurora per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Aurora is about $1,420 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Aurora with nearby cities

Aurora vs Naperville Aurora vs Chicago Aurora vs Milwaukee Aurora vs Madison Aurora vs Fort Wayne Aurora vs Indianapolis

Nearby cities

Naperville, IL 9 mi Chicago, IL 36 mi Milwaukee, WI 91 mi Madison, WI 106 mi Fort Wayne, IN 171 mi Indianapolis, IN 178 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.