Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Bakersfield?

Bakersfield, CA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $40,000 in Bakersfield.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Bakersfield?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Bakersfield under California's (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Bakersfield Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Bakersfield

California

$1,330/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 $1,330 in Bakersfield, CA. Overall, Bakersfield, CA is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $77,397 in Bakersfield, CA — about 14% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Bakersfield, CA

Rent

Studio

$893

$1,027

+15% in Bakersfield, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$1,007

+15% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,233

+20% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,656

+8% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$347,300

+33% in Bakersfield, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$77,397

+14% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$47,470

+13% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

31.9 yr

+3.3 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

66.8%

60.1%

+6.7 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

23.3%

+13.9 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

24.1 min

+3.9 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

556.8

+107% in Bakersfield, CA

Property Crime

1,247.4

2,488.9

+100% in Bakersfield, CA

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

64.0°F

+14.1°F in Bakersfield, CA

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

8.0 in

+28.9 in in Aurora, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.40/gal

+37% in Bakersfield, CA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs California.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.75

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

33.3

+39% in Bakersfield, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$20.72

+35% in Bakersfield, CA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Bakersfield, CA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Bakersfield, CA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Aurora, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Bakersfield, CA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Aurora, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Bakersfield, CA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / CA)

6.25%

7.25%

+1.0 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

13.30%

+8.4 pp in CA

Aurora vs Bakersfield — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Bakersfield?: Bakersfield, CA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Bakersfield?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $40,000 in Bakersfield.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Bakersfield?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Bakersfield under California's (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% 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).