Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Chicago?

Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,420 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $50,000 in Chicago.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Chicago?

Neither — both are in Illinois, so they share the same state tax rates: a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Aurora vs Chicago Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/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 $1,490 in Chicago, IL. Overall, Aurora, IL is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $75,134 in Chicago, IL — about 17% higher in Aurora, IL. Both cities are in Illinois, so state taxes are identical: a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Chicago, IL

Rent

Studio

$893

$1,186

+33% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$1,258

+6% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,406

+9% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,554

+14% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$315,200

+21% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$75,134

+17% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

about equal

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

35.7 yr

+0.5 yr in Chicago, IL

Homeownership

66.8%

45.5%

+21.3 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

43.3%

+6.1 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

33.5 min

+5.5 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

539.8

+100% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

1,247.4

3,489.9

+180% in Chicago, IL

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

52.7°F

+2.8°F in Chicago, IL

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

38.0 in

+1.1 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.29/gal

+9% in Chicago, IL

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Chicago.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.50

Adult base one-way fare — — vs CTA (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

about equal

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

about equal

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 / IL)

6.25%

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

about equal

Aurora vs Chicago — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Chicago?: Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,420 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Chicago?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $50,000 in Chicago.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Chicago?: Neither — both are in Illinois, so they share the same state tax rates: a top state income tax rate of 4.95% 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).