Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Huntsville?

Huntsville, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Aurora, IL's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $36,000 in Huntsville.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Huntsville?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Huntsville under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Huntsville Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,390/mo est.

Huntsville

Alabama

$1,090/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 $1,090 in Huntsville, AL. Overall, Huntsville, AL is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $70,778 in Huntsville, AL — about 21% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Huntsville, AL

Rent

Studio

$893

$815

+9% in Aurora, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$900

+24% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,080

+30% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,251

+30% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$263,100

+1% in Huntsville, AL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$70,778

+21% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$51,740

+5% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

36.4 yr

+1.2 yr in Huntsville, AL

Homeownership

66.8%

58.1%

+8.7 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

46.2%

+9.0 pp in Huntsville, AL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

19.3 min

+8.7 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

483.2

+79% in Huntsville, AL

Property Crime

1,247.4

2,395.7

+92% in Huntsville, AL

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

62.1°F

+12.2°F in Huntsville, AL

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

54.3 in

+17.4 in in Huntsville, AL

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

16.4

+18% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$24.06

+22% in Huntsville, AL

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 Huntsville, AL

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 / AL)

6.25%

+2.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

5.00%

+0.0 pp in AL

Aurora vs Huntsville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Huntsville?: Huntsville, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Aurora, IL's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Huntsville?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $36,000 in Huntsville.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Huntsville?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Huntsville under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% 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).