Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Aurora?

Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,420 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $47,000 in Aurora.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Aurora?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Aurora under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Aurora Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,820/mo est.

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,820 in Annapolis, MD versus $1,420 in Aurora, IL. Overall, Aurora, IL is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $90,109 in Aurora, IL — about 14% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Aurora, IL

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$893

+28% in Annapolis, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$1,183

+26% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$1,550

+17% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$1,797

+19% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$260,400

+49% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$90,109

+14% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$54,720

+7% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

35.2 yr

+5.7 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

66.8%

+7.0 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

37.2%

+16.5 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

28.7 min

28.0 min

+0.7 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

269.4

+67% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

1,247.4

+41% in Annapolis, MD

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

49.9°F

+7.2°F in Annapolis, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

36.9 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Aurora, IL

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

23.9

+10% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$15.39

+19% in Annapolis, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Aurora, IL

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Annapolis, MD

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Aurora, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Aurora, IL

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Aurora, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / IL)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

4.95%

+1.5 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Aurora — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Aurora?: Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,420 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Aurora?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $47,000 in Aurora.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Aurora?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Aurora under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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).