Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or New Haven?

Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below New Haven, CT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $51,000 in New Haven.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or New Haven?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); New Haven under Connecticut's (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax).

Aurora vs New Haven Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,390/mo est.

New Haven

Connecticut

$1,530/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 $1,530 in New Haven, CT. Overall, Aurora, IL is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than New Haven, CT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $53,771 in New Haven, CT — about 40% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

New Haven, CT

Rent

Studio

$893

$1,159

+30% in New Haven, CT

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$1,275

+8% in New Haven, CT

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,473

+5% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,636

+9% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$249,000

+4% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$53,771

+40% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$60,060

+10% in New Haven, CT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

31.9 yr

+3.3 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

66.8%

28.4%

+38.4 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

37.7%

+0.5 pp in New Haven, CT

Avg Commute

28.0 min

21.0 min

+7.0 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

536.3

+99% in New Haven, CT

Property Crime

1,247.4

3,601.6

+189% in New Haven, CT

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

52.2°F

+2.3°F in New Haven, CT

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

47.1 in

+10.2 in in New Haven, CT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in New Haven, CT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

24.3

+22% in New Haven, CT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$23.33

+18% in New Haven, CT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in New Haven, CT

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Aurora, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in New Haven, CT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in New Haven, CT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in New Haven, CT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / CT)

6.25%

6.35%

+0.1 pp in CT

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

6.99%

+2.0 pp in CT

Aurora vs New Haven — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or New Haven?: Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below New Haven, CT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in New Haven?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $51,000 in New Haven.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or New Haven?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); New Haven under Connecticut's (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% 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).