Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Hartford?

Hartford, CT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Aurora, IL's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $42,000 in Hartford.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Hartford?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Hartford under Connecticut's (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Hartford Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,390/mo est.

Hartford

Connecticut

$1,300/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 $1,300 in Hartford, CT. Overall, Hartford, CT is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $45,300 in Hartford, CT — about 50% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Hartford, CT

Rent

Studio

$893

$973

+9% in Hartford, CT

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$1,042

+12% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,296

+16% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,433

+20% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$217,200

+17% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$45,300

+50% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$59,940

+10% in Hartford, CT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

33.4 yr

+1.8 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

66.8%

25.7%

+41.1 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

18.3%

+18.9 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

22.8 min

+5.2 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

527.5

+96% in Hartford, CT

Property Crime

1,247.4

2,949.2

+136% in Hartford, CT

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

51.2°F

+1.3°F in Hartford, CT

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

43.6 in

+6.7 in in Hartford, CT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Hartford, CT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

24.3

+22% in Hartford, CT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$23.33

+18% in Hartford, CT

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 Hartford, CT

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Aurora, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Hartford, CT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Hartford, CT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Hartford, CT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / CT)

6.25%

6.35%

+0.1 pp in CT

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

6.99%

+2.0 pp in CT

Aurora vs Hartford — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Hartford?: Hartford, CT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Aurora, IL's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Hartford?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $42,000 in Hartford.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Hartford?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Hartford under Connecticut's (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% 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).