Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Bangor?

Bangor, ME is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Aurora, IL's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $36,000 in Bangor.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Bangor?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Bangor under Maine's (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Bangor Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,390/mo est.

Bangor

Maine

$1,210/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,390 in Aurora, IL versus $1,210 in Bangor, ME. Overall, Bangor, ME is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $58,096 in Bangor, ME — about 36% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Bangor, ME

Rent

Studio

$893

$800

+10% in Aurora, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$889

+25% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,136

+27% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,224

+32% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$206,300

+21% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$58,096

+36% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$47,960

+12% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

40.7 yr

+5.5 yr in Bangor, ME

Homeownership

66.8%

46.9%

+19.9 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

36.3%

+0.9 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

17.0 min

+11.0 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

161.4

+40% in Aurora, IL

Property Crime

1,247.4

4,259.8

+241% in Bangor, ME

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

44.3°F

+5.6°F in Aurora, IL

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

41.9 in

+5.0 in in Bangor, ME

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Bangor, ME

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

29.6

+49% in Bangor, ME

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$31.62

+60% in Bangor, ME

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Bangor, ME

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Aurora, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Bangor, ME

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Bangor, ME

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Bangor, ME

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / ME)

6.25%

5.5%

+0.8 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

7.15%

+2.2 pp in ME

Aurora vs Bangor — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Bangor?: Bangor, ME is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Aurora, IL's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Bangor?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $36,000 in Bangor.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Bangor?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Bangor under Maine's (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% 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).