Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Boise?

Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $45,000 in Boise.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Boise?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Boise under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Boise Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Boise, ID. Overall, Boise, ID is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $81,308 in Boise, ID — about 10% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Boise, ID

Rent

Studio

$893

$1,021

+14% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$1,133

+4% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,342

+13% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,749

+3% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$456,000

+75% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$81,308

+10% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$49,100

+10% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

38.2 yr

+3.0 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

66.8%

63.0%

+3.8 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

46.6%

+9.4 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

28.0 min

19.1 min

+8.9 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

301

+12% in Boise, ID

Property Crime

1,247.4

1,135.1

+9% 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

52.5°F

+2.6°F in Boise, ID

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

11.7 in

+25.2 in in Aurora, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.29/gal

+9% in Boise, ID

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

12.3

+48% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$10.82

+30% in Aurora, IL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Aurora, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Aurora, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Boise, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / ID)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

5.30%

+0.3 pp in ID

Aurora vs Boise — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Boise?: Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Boise?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $45,000 in Boise.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Boise?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Boise under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).