Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Baltimore?

Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $43,000 in Baltimore.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Baltimore?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Baltimore under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Baltimore Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/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 $1,300 in Baltimore, MD. Overall, Baltimore, MD is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $59,623 in Baltimore, MD — about 34% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Baltimore, MD

Rent

Studio

$893

$1,050

+18% in Baltimore, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$1,073

+9% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,353

+13% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,555

+13% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$219,300

+16% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$59,623

+34% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$59,070

+8% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

36.1 yr

+0.9 yr in Baltimore, MD

Homeownership

66.8%

47.5%

+19.3 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

35.4%

+1.8 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

29.4 min

+1.4 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

1,616.7

+500% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

1,247.4

4,202.6

+237% in Baltimore, MD

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

61.4°F

+11.5°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

42.4 in

+5.5 in in Baltimore, MD

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.86/gal

+2% in Aurora, IL

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

21.8

+9% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$18.94

+23% in Baltimore, MD

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 Baltimore, MD

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 / MD)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

6.50%

+1.5 pp in MD

Aurora vs Baltimore — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Baltimore?: Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Baltimore?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $43,000 in Baltimore.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Baltimore?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Baltimore under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% 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).