Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Cedar Rapids?

Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Aurora, IL's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $29,000 in Cedar Rapids.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Cedar Rapids?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Cedar Rapids under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Cedar Rapids Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,390/mo est.

Cedar Rapids

Iowa

$900/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 $900 in Cedar Rapids, IA. Overall, Cedar Rapids, IA is roughly 35% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $67,859 in Cedar Rapids, IA — about 25% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Cedar Rapids, IA

Rent

Studio

$893

$659

+26% in Aurora, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$716

+39% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$997

+36% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,335

+26% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$177,100

+32% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$67,859

+25% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$49,360

+10% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

36.9 yr

+1.7 yr in Cedar Rapids, IA

Homeownership

66.8%

68.2%

+1.4 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

32.9%

+4.3 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

18.2 min

+9.8 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

264.5

+2% in Aurora, IL

Property Crime

1,247.4

2,726

+119% in Cedar Rapids, IA

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

48.2°F

+1.7°F in Aurora, IL

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

34.6 in

+2.3 in in Aurora, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

15.9

+20% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$22.16

+12% in Cedar Rapids, IA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / IA)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

3.80%

+1.2 pp in IL

Aurora vs Cedar Rapids — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Cedar Rapids?: Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Aurora, IL's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Cedar Rapids?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $29,000 in Cedar Rapids.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Cedar Rapids?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Cedar Rapids under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% 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).