Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Green Bay?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $29,000 in Green Bay.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Green Bay?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Green Bay under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Green Bay Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$920/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 $920 in Green Bay, WI. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 35% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $62,546 in Green Bay, WI — about 31% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Green Bay, WI

Rent

Studio

$893

$707

+21% in Aurora, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$730

+38% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$956

+38% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,287

+28% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$191,500

+26% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$62,546

+31% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$49,940

+9% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

35.7 yr

+0.5 yr in Green Bay, WI

Homeownership

66.8%

55.9%

+10.9 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

25.5%

+11.7 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

18.9 min

+9.1 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

501.7

+86% in Green Bay, WI

Property Crime

1,247.4

1,331.2

+7% in Green Bay, WI

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

44.3°F

+5.6°F in Aurora, IL

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

29.5 in

+7.4 in in Aurora, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

19.7

+17% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$11.79

+23% in Aurora, IL

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 / WI)

6.25%

+1.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

7.65%

+2.7 pp in WI

Aurora vs Green Bay — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Green Bay?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Green Bay?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $29,000 in Green Bay.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Green Bay?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Green Bay under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% 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).