Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Bellevue?

Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Bellevue.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Bellevue?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Bellevue under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Bellevue Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/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 $1,160 in Bellevue, NE. Overall, Bellevue, NE is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $87,343 in Bellevue, NE — about 3% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Bellevue, NE

Rent

Studio

$893

$1,106

+24% in Bellevue, NE

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$1,008

+15% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,190

+23% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,660

+8% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$230,800

+11% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$87,343

+3% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$49,660

+9% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

36.1 yr

+0.9 yr in Bellevue, NE

Homeownership

66.8%

65.5%

+1.3 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

33.4%

+3.8 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

20.8 min

+7.2 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

100.8

+63% in Aurora, IL

Property Crime

1,247.4

1,149.4

+8% in Aurora, IL

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

51.1°F

+1.2°F in Bellevue, NE

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

30.6 in

+6.3 in in Aurora, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

13.6

+43% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$15.53

+1% in Bellevue, NE

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / NE)

6.25%

5.5%

+0.8 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

4.55%

+0.4 pp in IL

Aurora vs Bellevue — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Bellevue?: Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Bellevue?: 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 Bellevue.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Bellevue?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Bellevue under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% 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).