Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Aurora?

Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,420 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $47,000 in Aurora.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Aurora?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Aurora under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Aurora Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,780/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 $1,780 in Atlanta, GA versus $1,420 in Aurora, IL. Overall, Aurora, IL is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $90,109 in Aurora, IL — about 9% higher in Aurora, IL. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Aurora, IL

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$893

+46% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,183

+25% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,550

+9% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,797

+15% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$260,400

+38% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$90,109

+10% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$54,720

+7% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

35.2 yr

+1.2 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

46.3%

66.8%

+20.5 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

37.2%

+21.2 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

28.0 min

+1.2 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

269.4

+55% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

1,247.4

+65% in Atlanta, GA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

62.6°F

49.9°F

+12.7°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

36.9 in

+12.8 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Aurora, IL

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

Adult base one-way fare — MARTA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

23.9

+51% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$15.39

+54% in Atlanta, GA

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 Atlanta, GA

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 (GA / IL)

6.25%

+2.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

4.95%

+0.2 pp in GA

Atlanta vs Aurora — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Aurora?: Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,420 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Aurora?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $47,000 in Aurora.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Aurora?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).