Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Columbus?

Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $35,000 in Columbus.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Columbus?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Columbus under Georgia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Columbus Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Columbus

Georgia

$1,080/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 $1,080 in Columbus, GA. Overall, Columbus, GA is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $56,622 in Columbus, GA — about 37% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Columbus, GA

Rent

Studio

$893

$826

+8% in Aurora, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$875

+26% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$991

+36% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,221

+32% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$182,300

+30% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$56,622

+37% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$43,540

+20% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

35.1 yr

+0.1 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

66.8%

50.2%

+16.6 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

29.7%

+7.5 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

20.2 min

+7.8 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

612.3

+127% in Columbus, GA

Property Crime

1,247.4

2,273.4

+82% in Columbus, GA

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

65.7°F

+15.8°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

46.8 in

+9.8 in in Columbus, GA

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

15.8

+34% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$33.28

+116% in Columbus, GA

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 Columbus, GA

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 / GA)

6.25%

+2.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

5.19%

+0.2 pp in GA

Aurora vs Columbus — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Columbus?: Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Columbus?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $35,000 in Columbus.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Columbus?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Columbus under Georgia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).