Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Boston?

Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,420 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $79,000 in Boston.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Boston?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Boston under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Boston Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/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 $2,290 in Boston, MA. Overall, Aurora, IL is roughly 38% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $94,755 in Boston, MA — about 5% higher in Boston, MA. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Boston, MA

Rent

Studio

$893

$1,890

+112% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$1,978

+67% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$2,155

+39% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$2,234

+24% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$710,400

+173% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$94,755

+5% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$66,620

+22% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

33.2 yr

+2.0 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

66.8%

35.4%

+31.4 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

54.1%

+16.9 pp in Boston, MA

Avg Commute

28.0 min

30.2 min

+2.2 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

630.2

+134% in Boston, MA

Property Crime

1,247.4

2,030.8

+63% in Boston, MA

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

51.5°F

+1.6°F in Boston, MA

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

43.8 in

+6.9 in in Boston, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.95/gal

+0% in Boston, MA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

28.8

+21% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$31.39

+104% in Boston, MA

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 Boston, MA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Aurora, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Boston, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Boston, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Boston, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / MA)

6.25%

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

9.00%

+4.0 pp in MA

Aurora vs Boston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Boston?: Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,420 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Boston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $79,000 in Boston.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Boston?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Boston under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).