Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Memphis?

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $38,000 in Memphis.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Memphis?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Memphis Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/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 $1,110 in Memphis, TN. Overall, Memphis, TN 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 $51,211 in Memphis, TN — about 43% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Memphis, TN

Rent

Studio

$893

$877

+2% in Aurora, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$948

+20% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,073

+31% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,281

+29% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$157,100

+40% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$51,211

+43% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$46,890

+14% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

34.3 yr

+0.9 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

66.8%

46.0%

+20.8 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

28.2%

+9.0 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

21.3 min

+6.7 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

2,507.6

+831% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

1,247.4

6,966.3

+458% in Memphis, TN

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

63.1°F

+13.2°F in Memphis, TN

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

53.7 in

+16.8 in in Memphis, TN

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 MATA (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

14.5

+39% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$16.83

+9% in Memphis, TN

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 Memphis, TN

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 / TN)

6.25%

+0.8 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

None

+5.0 pp in IL

Aurora vs Memphis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Memphis?: Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Memphis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $38,000 in Memphis.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Memphis?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax 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).