Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Buffalo?

Buffalo, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,150 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Buffalo.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Buffalo?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Buffalo under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Buffalo Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Buffalo

New York

$1,150/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 $1,150 in Buffalo, NY. Overall, Buffalo, NY is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $48,050 in Buffalo, NY — about 47% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Buffalo, NY

Rent

Studio

$893

$812

+9% in Aurora, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$849

+28% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$954

+38% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,080

+40% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$152,300

+42% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$48,050

+47% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$50,790

+7% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

34.3 yr

+0.9 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

66.8%

42.7%

+24.1 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

30.3%

+6.9 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

19.9 min

+8.1 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

770.5

+186% in Buffalo, NY

Property Crime

1,247.4

4,003.2

+221% in Buffalo, NY

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

48.3°F

+1.6°F in Aurora, IL

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

40.5 in

+3.6 in in Buffalo, NY

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.04/gal

+3% in Buffalo, NY

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs New York.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

29.9

+25% in Buffalo, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$22.74

+48% in Buffalo, NY

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 Buffalo, NY

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Aurora, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Buffalo, NY

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Buffalo, NY

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Buffalo, NY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / NY)

6.25%

+2.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

10.90%

+6.0 pp in NY

Aurora vs Buffalo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Buffalo?: Buffalo, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,150 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Buffalo?: 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 Buffalo.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Buffalo?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Buffalo under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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).