Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Bismarck?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Aurora, IL's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $32,000 in Bismarck.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Bismarck?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Bismarck under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Bismarck Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,390/mo est.

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/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 $960 in Bismarck, ND. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $77,608 in Bismarck, ND — about 14% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Bismarck, ND

Rent

Studio

$893

$723

+19% in Aurora, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$803

+32% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$989

+36% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,421

+21% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$291,400

+12% in Bismarck, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$77,608

+14% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$52,560

+4% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

38.2 yr

+3.0 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

66.8%

65.8%

+1.0 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

38.7%

+1.5 pp in Bismarck, ND

Avg Commute

28.0 min

15.5 min

+12.5 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

278

+3% in Bismarck, ND

Property Crime

1,247.4

2,417.1

+94% in Bismarck, ND

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

43.0°F

+6.9°F in Aurora, IL

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

17.9 in

+19.1 in in Aurora, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

14.1

+29% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$18.21

+8% in Aurora, IL

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 / ND)

6.25%

+1.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

2.50%

+2.5 pp in IL

Aurora vs Bismarck — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Bismarck?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Aurora, IL's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Bismarck?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $32,000 in Bismarck.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Bismarck?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Bismarck under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% 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).