Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Houston?

Houston, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,360 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $46,000 in Houston.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Houston?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Houston under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Houston Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Houston

Texas

$1,360/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 $1,360 in Houston, TX. Overall, Houston, TX is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $62,894 in Houston, TX — about 30% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Houston, TX

Rent

Studio

$893

$1,142

+28% in Houston, TX

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$1,156

+2% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,375

+11% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,664

+7% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$253,400

+3% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$62,894

+30% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$49,410

+10% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

34.3 yr

+0.9 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

66.8%

42.0%

+24.8 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

36.0%

+1.2 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

27.3 min

+0.7 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

1,153.8

+328% in Houston, TX

Property Crime

1,247.4

4,324.9

+247% in Houston, TX

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

70.3°F

+20.4°F in Houston, TX

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

54.6 in

+17.7 in in Houston, TX

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.52/gal

+11% in Aurora, IL

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Houston.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.25

Adult base one-way fare — — vs Houston METRO (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

16.4

+31% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$30.48

+98% in Houston, TX

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 Houston, TX

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 / TX)

6.25%

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

None

+5.0 pp in IL

Aurora vs Houston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Houston?: Houston, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,360 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Houston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $46,000 in Houston.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Houston?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Houston under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% 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).