Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Cambridge?

Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 51% below Cambridge, MA's $2,810, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $100,000 in Cambridge.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Cambridge?

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

Aurora vs Cambridge Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,390/mo est.

Cambridge

Massachusetts

$2,810/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 $2,810 in Cambridge, MA. Overall, Aurora, IL is roughly 51% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cambridge, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $126,469 in Cambridge, MA — about 29% higher in Cambridge, 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

Cambridge, MA

Rent

Studio

$893

$2,236

+150% in Cambridge, MA

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$2,496

+111% in Cambridge, MA

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$2,980

+92% in Cambridge, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$3,325

+85% in Cambridge, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$1,040,500

+300% in Cambridge, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$126,469

+40% in Cambridge, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$66,620

+22% in Cambridge, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

30.5 yr

+4.7 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

66.8%

33.7%

+33.1 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

80.2%

+43.0 pp in Cambridge, MA

Avg Commute

28.0 min

26.1 min

+1.9 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

436.7

+62% in Cambridge, MA

Property Crime

1,247.4

2,657.6

+113% in Cambridge, 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 Cambridge, MA

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

43.8 in

+6.9 in in Cambridge, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.07/gal

+6% in Cambridge, MA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

29.6

+49% in Cambridge, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$30.66

+56% in Cambridge, 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 Cambridge, MA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Aurora, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Cambridge, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Cambridge, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Cambridge, 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 Cambridge — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Cambridge?: Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 51% below Cambridge, MA's $2,810, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Cambridge?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $100,000 in Cambridge.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Cambridge?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Cambridge 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).