Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Indianapolis?

Indianapolis, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,150 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $39,000 in Indianapolis.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Indianapolis?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Indianapolis under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Indianapolis Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Indianapolis

Indiana

$1,150/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 $1,150 in Indianapolis, IN. Overall, Indianapolis, IN is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $62,995 in Indianapolis, IN — about 30% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Indianapolis, IN

Rent

Studio

$893

$933

+4% in Indianapolis, IN

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$963

+19% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,132

+27% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,304

+27% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$207,000

+21% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$62,995

+30% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$49,340

+10% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

34.1 yr

+1.1 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

66.8%

55.3%

+11.5 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

34.2%

+3.0 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

24.3 min

+3.7 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

936.6

+248% in Indianapolis, IN

Property Crime

1,247.4

3,351.7

+169% in Indianapolis, IN

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

53.2°F

+3.3°F in Indianapolis, IN

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

42.4 in

+5.5 in in Indianapolis, IN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.75

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

18.1

+24% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$13.70

+11% 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 / IN)

6.25%

+0.8 pp in IN

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

2.95%

+2.0 pp in IL

Aurora vs Indianapolis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Indianapolis?: Indianapolis, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,150 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Indianapolis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $39,000 in Indianapolis.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Indianapolis?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Indianapolis under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% 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).