Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Columbia?

Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Aurora, IL's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $41,000 in Columbia.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Columbia?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Columbia under South Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Columbia Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,390/mo est.

Columbia

South Carolina

$1,220/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 $1,220 in Columbia, SC. Overall, Columbia, SC is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $55,653 in Columbia, SC — about 38% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Columbia, SC

Rent

Studio

$893

$802

+10% in Aurora, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$1,026

+13% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,164

+25% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,338

+26% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$243,500

+6% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$55,653

+38% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$46,430

+15% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

28.7 yr

+6.5 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

66.8%

47.3%

+19.5 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

46.1%

+8.9 pp in Columbia, SC

Avg Commute

28.0 min

17.4 min

+10.6 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

769.9

+186% in Columbia, SC

Property Crime

1,247.4

3,265.1

+162% in Columbia, SC

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

64.9°F

+15.0°F in Columbia, SC

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

45.4 in

+8.5 in in Columbia, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Columbia, SC

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

15.6

+22% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$29.07

+47% in Columbia, SC

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 Columbia, SC

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 / SC)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

6.00%

+1.0 pp in SC

Aurora vs Columbia — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Columbia?: Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Aurora, IL's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Columbia?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $41,000 in Columbia.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Columbia?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Columbia under South Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% 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).