Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Paterson?

Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Paterson?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Paterson under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Paterson Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,390/mo est.

Paterson

New Jersey

$1,430/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 $1,430 in Paterson, NJ. Overall, Aurora, IL is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Paterson, NJ, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $53,766 in Paterson, NJ — about 40% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Paterson, NJ

Rent

Studio

$893

$786

+12% in Aurora, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,183

about equal

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,468

+5% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,729

+4% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$335,400

+29% in Paterson, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$53,766

+40% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$61,430

+12% in Paterson, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

33.3 yr

+1.9 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

66.8%

26.2%

+40.6 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

12.5%

+24.7 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

23.1 min

+4.9 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

1,010.1

+275% in Paterson, NJ

Property Crime

1,247.4

2,391.4

+92% in Paterson, NJ

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 Paterson, NJ

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

49.0 in

+12.1 in in Paterson, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Paterson, NJ

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

24.9

+25% in Paterson, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$17.68

+10% in Aurora, IL

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 Paterson, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Aurora, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Paterson, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Paterson, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Paterson, NJ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / NJ)

6.25%

6.625%

+0.4 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

10.75%

+5.8 pp in NJ

Aurora vs Paterson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Paterson?: Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Paterson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $47,000 in Paterson.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Paterson?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Paterson under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).