Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Gulfport?

Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Aurora, IL's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $34,000 in Gulfport.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Gulfport?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Gulfport under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Gulfport Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,390/mo est.

Gulfport

Mississippi

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Gulfport, MS. Overall, Gulfport, MS is roughly 26% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $46,044 in Gulfport, MS — about 49% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Gulfport, MS

Rent

Studio

$893

$958

+7% in Gulfport, MS

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$849

+28% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$990

+36% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,171

+35% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$167,100

+36% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$46,044

+49% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$43,470

+21% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

36.7 yr

+1.5 yr in Gulfport, MS

Homeownership

66.8%

53.1%

+13.7 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

22.3%

+14.9 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

21.8 min

+6.2 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

623.5

+131% in Gulfport, MS

Property Crime

1,247.4

3,881.3

+211% in Gulfport, MS

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

67.6°F

+17.7°F in Gulfport, MS

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

64.7 in

+27.8 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Aurora, IL

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

14.9

+25% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$29.04

+47% in Gulfport, MS

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 Gulfport, MS

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 / MS)

6.25%

+0.8 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

4.00%

+1.0 pp in IL

Aurora vs Gulfport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Gulfport?: Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Aurora, IL's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Gulfport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $34,000 in Gulfport.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Gulfport?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Gulfport under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% 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).