Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Las Vegas?

Las Vegas, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% 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 Las Vegas?

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

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Las Vegas?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Las Vegas under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Las Vegas Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Las Vegas

Nevada

$1,320/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 $1,320 in Las Vegas, NV. Overall, Las Vegas, NV is roughly 7% 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 $70,723 in Las Vegas, NV — about 22% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Las Vegas, NV

Rent

Studio

$893

$992

+11% in Las Vegas, NV

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$1,181

+0% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,401

+10% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,740

+3% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$395,300

+52% in Las Vegas, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$70,723

+22% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$46,670

+15% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

38.5 yr

+3.3 yr in Las Vegas, NV

Homeownership

66.8%

55.7%

+11.1 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

27.3%

+9.9 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

25.8 min

+2.2 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

433.3

+61% in Las Vegas, NV

Property Crime

1,247.4

2,642.1

+112% in Las Vegas, NV

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

68.4°F

+18.5°F in Las Vegas, NV

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

5.4 in

+31.5 in in Aurora, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.09/gal

+29% in Las Vegas, NV

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs RTC (residential routes) (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

13.6

+43% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$12.09

+21% in Aurora, IL

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Las Vegas, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Las Vegas, NV

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Aurora, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Las Vegas, NV

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Aurora, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Las Vegas, NV

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / NV)

6.25%

6.85%

+0.6 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

None

+5.0 pp in IL

Aurora vs Las Vegas — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Las Vegas?: Las Vegas, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% 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 Las Vegas?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $47,000 in Las Vegas.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Las Vegas?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Las Vegas under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).