Living Cost Compare
Aurora

Illinois

$1,390/mo est.

vs
Grand Rapids

Michigan

$1,200/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 $1,200 in Grand Rapids, MI. Overall, Grand Rapids, MI is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $65,526 in Grand Rapids, MI — about 27% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL
Grand Rapids, MI

Rent

Studio
$893
$992
+11% in Grand Rapids, MI
1 Bedroom
$1,183
$964
+19% in Aurora, IL
2 Bedroom
$1,550
$1,206
+22% in Aurora, IL
3 Bedroom
$1,797
$1,421
+21% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$260,400
$225,500
+13% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income
$90,109
$65,526
+27% in Aurora, IL
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$54,720
$47,570
+13% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.2 yr
32.1 yr
+3.1 yr in Aurora, IL
Homeownership
66.8%
54.6%
+12.2 pp in Aurora, IL
Bachelor's+ (25+)
37.2%
40.1%
+2.9 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Avg Commute
28.0 min
19.4 min
+8.6 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
269.4
910.1
+238% in Grand Rapids, MI
Property Crime
1,247.4
2,506.2
+101% in Grand Rapids, MI

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
49.1°F
+0.8°F in Aurora, IL
Annual Precipitation
36.9 in
38.3 in
+1.4 in in Grand Rapids, MI

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.85/gal
about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
19.9
23.0
+16% in Grand Rapids, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.71
$19.72
about equal

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.66
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$3.63
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.77
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.10
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / MI)
6.25%
6%
+0.3 pp in IL
Income Tax (top rate)
4.95%
4.25%
+0.7 pp in IL

Aurora vs Grand Rapids — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Grand Rapids?
Grand Rapids, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,200 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Aurora, IL's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Grand Rapids?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $39,000 in Grand Rapids.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Grand Rapids?
Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Grand Rapids under Michigan's (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% 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).