Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Cincinnati?

Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $33,000 in Cincinnati.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Cincinnati?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Cincinnati under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Cincinnati Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Cincinnati, OH. Overall, Cincinnati, OH is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH — about 43% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Cincinnati, OH

Rent

Studio

$893

$791

+11% in Aurora, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$817

+31% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,023

+34% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,228

+32% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$215,300

+17% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$51,707

+43% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$50,170

+8% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

33.0 yr

+2.2 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

66.8%

38.9%

+27.9 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

41.3%

+4.1 pp in Cincinnati, OH

Avg Commute

28.0 min

23.1 min

+4.9 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

856.5

+218% in Cincinnati, OH

Property Crime

1,247.4

3,877.7

+211% in Cincinnati, OH

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

54.3°F

+4.4°F in Cincinnati, OH

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

41.9 in

+5.0 in in Cincinnati, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.18/gal

+6% in Cincinnati, OH

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Ohio.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

19.5

+18% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$22.83

+48% in Cincinnati, OH

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 / OH)

6.25%

5.75%

+0.5 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

2.75%

+2.2 pp in IL

Aurora vs Cincinnati — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Cincinnati?: Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Cincinnati?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $33,000 in Cincinnati.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Cincinnati?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Cincinnati under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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).