Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Burlington?

Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,420 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Burlington, VT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $51,000 in Burlington.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Burlington?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Burlington under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Burlington Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Burlington

Vermont

$1,530/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 $1,530 in Burlington, VT. Overall, Aurora, IL is roughly 7% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $68,854 in Burlington, VT — about 24% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Burlington, VT

Rent

Studio

$893

$1,284

+44% in Burlington, VT

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$1,275

+8% in Burlington, VT

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,731

+12% in Burlington, VT

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$2,002

+11% in Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$400,200

+54% in Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$68,854

+24% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$60,020

+10% in Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

26.7 yr

+8.5 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

66.8%

39.8%

+27.0 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

60.5%

+23.3 pp in Burlington, VT

Avg Commute

28.0 min

19.2 min

+8.8 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

497.1

+85% in Burlington, VT

Property Crime

1,247.4

4,408.9

+253% in Burlington, VT

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

46.0°F

+3.9°F in Aurora, IL

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

36.8 in

+0.1 in in Aurora, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.86/gal

+2% in Aurora, IL

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

24.9

+4% in Burlington, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$20.31

+32% in Burlington, VT

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 Burlington, VT

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Aurora, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Burlington, VT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Burlington, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Burlington, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / VT)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

8.75%

+3.8 pp in VT

Aurora vs Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Burlington?: Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,420 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Burlington, VT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Burlington?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $51,000 in Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Burlington?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Burlington under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% 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).