Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Charleston?

Charleston, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $860 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $27,000 in Charleston.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Charleston?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Charleston under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Charleston Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Charleston

West Virginia

$860/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 $860 in Charleston, WV. Overall, Charleston, WV is roughly 39% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $64,512 in Charleston, WV — about 28% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Charleston, WV

Rent

Studio

$893

$630

+29% in Aurora, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$668

+44% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$980

+37% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,139

+37% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$187,300

+28% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$64,512

+28% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$45,830

+16% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

42.6 yr

+7.4 yr in Charleston, WV

Homeownership

66.8%

62.8%

+4.0 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

44.1%

+6.9 pp in Charleston, WV

Avg Commute

28.0 min

17.9 min

+10.1 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

542.7

+101% in Charleston, WV

Property Crime

1,247.4

3,148

+152% in Charleston, WV

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

55.7°F

+5.8°F in Charleston, WV

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

44.0 in

+7.1 in in Charleston, WV

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

16.8

+30% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$24.68

+60% in Charleston, WV

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Aurora, IL

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Charleston, WV

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Aurora, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Aurora, IL

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Aurora, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / WV)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

4.82%

+0.1 pp in IL

Aurora vs Charleston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Charleston?: Charleston, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $860 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Charleston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $27,000 in Charleston.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Charleston?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Charleston under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% 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).