Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Norman?

Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $35,000 in Norman.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Norman?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Norman Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Norman

Oklahoma

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Norman, OK. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $65,060 in Norman, OK — about 28% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Norman, OK

Rent

Studio

$893

$820

+8% in Aurora, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$863

+27% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,056

+32% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,377

+23% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$239,300

+8% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$65,060

+28% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$47,230

+14% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

31.6 yr

+3.6 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

66.8%

52.7%

+14.1 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

46.2%

+9.0 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

28.0 min

22.2 min

+5.8 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

268.6

+0% in Aurora, IL

Property Crime

1,247.4

2,294.1

+84% in Norman, OK

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

61.5°F

+11.6°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

36.5 in

+0.4 in in Aurora, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

13.4

+44% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$27.15

+76% in Norman, OK

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 Norman, OK

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 / OK)

6.25%

4.5%

+1.8 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

4.50%

+0.5 pp in IL

Aurora vs Norman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Norman?: Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Norman?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $35,000 in Norman.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Norman?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% 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).