Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Morgantown?

Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Aurora, IL's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $31,000 in Morgantown.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Morgantown?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Morgantown under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Morgantown Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,390/mo est.

Morgantown

West Virginia

$950/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 $950 in Morgantown, WV. Overall, Morgantown, WV is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $42,245 in Morgantown, WV — about 53% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Morgantown, WV

Rent

Studio

$893

$836

+6% in Aurora, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$770

+35% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$969

+37% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,038

+42% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$238,200

+9% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$42,245

+53% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$47,350

+13% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

24.0 yr

+11.2 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

66.8%

44.3%

+22.5 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

58.1%

+20.9 pp in Morgantown, WV

Avg Commute

28.0 min

17.3 min

+10.7 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

216.3

+20% in Aurora, IL

Property Crime

1,247.4

1,976.4

+58% in Morgantown, WV

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

53.0°F

+3.1°F in Morgantown, WV

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

41.8 in

+4.9 in in Morgantown, WV

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Morgantown, WV

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

15.4

+22% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$24.68

+25% in Morgantown, WV

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 Morgantown, WV

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 / WV)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

4.82%

+0.1 pp in IL

Aurora vs Morgantown — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Morgantown?: Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Aurora, IL's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Morgantown?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $31,000 in Morgantown.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Morgantown?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Morgantown under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 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).