Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Austin?

Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,420 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Austin, TX's $1,660, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $58,000 in Austin.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Austin?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Austin under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Austin Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Austin

Texas

$1,660/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,420 in Aurora, IL versus $1,660 in Austin, TX. Overall, Aurora, IL is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Austin, TX, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $91,461 in Austin, TX — about 1% higher in Austin, TX. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Austin, TX

Rent

Studio

$893

$1,348

+51% in Austin, TX

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$1,457

+23% in Austin, TX

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,776

+15% in Austin, TX

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$2,127

+18% in Austin, TX

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$512,700

+97% in Austin, TX

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$91,461

+2% in Austin, TX

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$56,950

+4% in Austin, TX

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

34.5 yr

+0.7 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

66.8%

44.4%

+22.4 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

58.2%

+21.0 pp in Austin, TX

Avg Commute

28.0 min

24.0 min

+4.0 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

476.1

+77% in Austin, TX

Property Crime

1,247.4

3,290.7

+164% in Austin, TX

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

49.9°F

67.2°F

+17.3°F in Austin, TX

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

34.9 in

+2.0 in in Aurora, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Aurora, IL

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Texas.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.25

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

16.4

+31% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$30.48

+98% in Austin, TX

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Aurora, IL

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Austin, TX

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Aurora, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Aurora, IL

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Aurora, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / TX)

6.25%

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

None

+5.0 pp in IL

Aurora vs Austin — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Austin?: Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,420 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Austin, TX's $1,660, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Austin?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $58,000 in Austin.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Austin?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Austin under Texas's (no state income tax 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).