Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Mesa?

Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,420 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Mesa, AZ's $1,460, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $52,000 in Mesa.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Mesa?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Mesa under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Mesa Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Mesa

Arizona

$1,460/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 $1,460 in Mesa, AZ. Overall, Aurora, IL is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Mesa, AZ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $78,779 in Mesa, AZ — about 13% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Mesa, AZ

Rent

Studio

$893

$1,209

+35% in Mesa, AZ

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$1,288

+9% in Mesa, AZ

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,458

+6% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,819

+1% in Mesa, AZ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$364,300

+40% in Mesa, AZ

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$78,779

+13% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$51,380

+6% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

37.2 yr

+2.0 yr in Mesa, AZ

Homeownership

66.8%

64.4%

+2.4 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

31.5%

+5.7 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

25.0 min

+3.0 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

486.2

+80% in Mesa, AZ

Property Crime

1,247.4

1,488

+19% in Mesa, AZ

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

75.1°F

+25.2°F in Mesa, AZ

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

8.0 in

+28.9 in in Aurora, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.09/gal

+29% in Mesa, AZ

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

15.2

+36% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$22.44

+46% in Mesa, AZ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Mesa, AZ

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Mesa, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Aurora, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Mesa, AZ

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Aurora, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Mesa, AZ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / AZ)

6.25%

5.6%

+0.7 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

2.50%

+2.5 pp in IL

Aurora vs Mesa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Mesa?: Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,420 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Mesa, AZ's $1,460, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Mesa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $52,000 in Mesa.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Mesa?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Mesa under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% 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).