Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Baton Rouge?

Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $34,000 in Baton Rouge.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Baton Rouge?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Baton Rouge under Louisiana's (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Baton Rouge Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Baton Rouge

Louisiana

$1,010/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 $1,010 in Baton Rouge, LA. Overall, Baton Rouge, LA is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $49,944 in Baton Rouge, LA — about 45% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Baton Rouge, LA

Rent

Studio

$893

$881

+1% in Aurora, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$854

+28% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,075

+31% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,241

+31% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$224,500

+14% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$49,944

+45% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$48,710

+11% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

31.8 yr

+3.4 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

66.8%

46.9%

+19.9 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

35.8%

+1.4 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

21.1 min

+6.9 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

305

+13% in Baton Rouge, LA

Property Crime

1,247.4

1,756.3

+41% in Baton Rouge, LA

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

68.5°F

+18.6°F in Baton Rouge, LA

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

60.6 in

+23.7 in in Baton Rouge, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Aurora, IL

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

14.2

+41% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$16.62

+8% in Baton Rouge, LA

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 Baton Rouge, LA

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 / LA)

6.25%

+1.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

3.00%

+2.0 pp in IL

Aurora vs Baton Rouge — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Baton Rouge?: Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Baton Rouge?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $34,000 in Baton Rouge.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Baton Rouge?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Baton Rouge under Louisiana's (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 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).