Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Cranston?

Cranston, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Aurora, IL's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Cranston.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Cranston?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Cranston under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Cranston Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,390/mo est.

Cranston

Rhode Island

$1,330/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 $1,330 in Cranston, RI. Overall, Cranston, RI is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $87,716 in Cranston, RI — about 3% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Cranston, RI

Rent

Studio

$893

—

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$1,032

+13% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,438

+7% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,688

+6% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$348,800

+34% in Cranston, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$87,716

+3% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$53,680

+2% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

40.1 yr

+4.9 yr in Cranston, RI

Homeownership

66.8%

67.3%

+0.5 pp in Cranston, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

35.8%

+1.4 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

23.8 min

+4.2 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

93.1

+65% in Aurora, IL

Property Crime

1,247.4

1,065.4

+15% in Aurora, 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

51.6°F

+1.7°F in Cranston, RI

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

47.2 in

+10.3 in in Cranston, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Cranston, RI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

29.2

+47% in Cranston, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$25.75

+31% in Cranston, RI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Cranston, RI

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Aurora, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Cranston, RI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Cranston, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Cranston, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / RI)

6.25%

+0.8 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

5.99%

+1.0 pp in RI

Aurora vs Cranston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Cranston?: Cranston, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Aurora, IL's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Cranston?: 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 Cranston.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Cranston?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Cranston under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).