Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Overland Park?

Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Overland Park, KS's $1,410, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $49,000 in Overland Park.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Overland Park?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Overland Park under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Overland Park Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,390/mo est.

Overland Park

Kansas

$1,410/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 $1,410 in Overland Park, KS. Overall, Aurora, IL is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Overland Park, KS, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $103,838 in Overland Park, KS — about 13% higher in Overland Park, KS. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Overland Park, KS

Rent

Studio

$893

$1,270

+42% in Overland Park, KS

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$1,224

+3% in Overland Park, KS

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,589

+3% in Overland Park, KS

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,828

+2% in Overland Park, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$384,400

+48% in Overland Park, KS

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$103,838

+15% in Overland Park, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$50,820

+7% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

38.6 yr

+3.4 yr in Overland Park, KS

Homeownership

66.8%

61.5%

+5.3 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

62.9%

+25.7 pp in Overland Park, KS

Avg Commute

28.0 min

19.9 min

+8.1 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

188.4

+30% in Aurora, IL

Property Crime

1,247.4

1,790.5

+44% in Overland Park, KS

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

55.2°F

+5.3°F in Overland Park, KS

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

40.0 in

+3.1 in in Overland Park, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

15.7

+21% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$25.12

+27% in Overland Park, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / KS)

6.25%

6.5%

+0.3 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

5.58%

+0.6 pp in KS

Aurora vs Overland Park — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Overland Park?: Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Overland Park, KS's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Overland Park?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $49,000 in Overland Park.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Overland Park?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Overland Park under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% 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).