Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Chicago?

Aurora, CO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Chicago, IL's $1,440, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $50,000 in Chicago.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Chicago?

Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Chicago under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Chicago Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Colorado

$1,300/mo est.

Chicago

Illinois

$1,440/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,300 in Aurora, CO versus $1,440 in Chicago, IL. Overall, Aurora, CO is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $85,364 in Aurora, CO and $75,134 in Chicago, IL — about 12% higher in Aurora, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Aurora, CO

Chicago, IL

Rent

Studio

—

$1,186

1 Bedroom

$1,138

$1,258

+11% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$2,284

$1,406

+38% in Aurora, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,320

$1,554

+33% in Aurora, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$689,000

$315,200

+54% in Aurora, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$85,364

$75,134

+12% in Aurora, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$54,720

+12% in Aurora, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.3 yr

35.7 yr

+0.4 yr in Chicago, IL

Homeownership

46.0%

45.5%

+0.5 pp in Aurora, CO

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.4%

43.3%

+1.9 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

18.7 min

33.5 min

+14.8 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

952.4

539.8

+43% in Aurora, CO

Property Crime

3,366.6

3,489.9

+4% in Chicago, IL

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

50.2°F

52.7°F

+2.5°F in Chicago, IL

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

38.0 in

+22.4 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.54/gal

$4.82/gal

+6% in Chicago, IL

Area: Colorado vs Chicago.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

$2.50

+9% in Aurora, CO

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.7

18.9

+13% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.64

$12.10

+4% in Chicago, IL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.37

$4.14

+5% in Aurora, CO

Bread (lb)

$2.10

$1.79

+15% in Aurora, CO

Eggs (doz)

$2.25

$3.63

+61% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.23

$6.97

+4% in Aurora, CO

Chicken (lb)

$2.14

$2.15

+1% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.74

$0.63

+15% in Aurora, CO

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / IL)

2.9%

6.25%

+3.4 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

4.95%

+0.5 pp in IL

Aurora vs Chicago — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Chicago?: Aurora, CO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Chicago, IL's $1,440, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Chicago?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $50,000 in Chicago.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Chicago?: Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Chicago 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).