Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Aurora?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $47,000 in Aurora.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Aurora?

Augusta 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).

Augusta vs Aurora Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Augusta, GA versus $1,420 in Aurora, IL. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $90,109 in Aurora, IL — about 41% 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.

Augusta, GA

Aurora, IL

Rent

Studio

$784

$893

+14% in Aurora, IL

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,183

+29% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,550

+50% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,797

+46% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$260,400

+60% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$90,109

+70% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$54,720

+19% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

35.2 yr

+0.3 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

50.9%

66.8%

+15.9 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

37.2%

+13.0 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

20.6 min

28.0 min

+7.4 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

269.4

+51% in Augusta, GA

Property Crime

3,652

1,247.4

+66% in Augusta, GA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.2°F

49.9°F

+15.3°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

36.9 in

+9.6 in in Augusta, GA

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)

15.8

23.9

+51% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$15.39

+54% in Augusta, 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 Augusta, 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

Augusta vs Aurora — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Aurora?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Aurora?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $47,000 in Aurora.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Aurora?: Augusta 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).