Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Rochester?

Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,280 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $44,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Rochester?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Rochester

Minnesota

$1,280/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 $1,280 in Rochester, MN. Overall, Rochester, MN is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $87,767 in Rochester, MN — about 3% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Rochester, MN

Rent

Studio

$893

$1,080

+21% in Rochester, MN

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$1,106

+7% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,243

+20% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,646

+8% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$287,500

+10% in Rochester, MN

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$87,767

+3% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$60,620

+11% in Rochester, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

36.4 yr

+1.2 yr in Rochester, MN

Homeownership

66.8%

65.4%

+1.4 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

50.1%

+12.9 pp in Rochester, MN

Avg Commute

28.0 min

17.2 min

+10.8 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

158.9

+41% in Aurora, IL

Property Crime

1,247.4

1,379

+11% in Rochester, MN

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

45.4°F

+4.5°F in Aurora, IL

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

33.0 in

+3.9 in in Aurora, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.95/gal

about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Minnesota.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

16.9

+29% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$14.95

+3% in Aurora, IL

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 / MN)

6.25%

6.875%

+0.6 pp in MN

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

9.85%

+4.9 pp in MN

Aurora vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Rochester?: Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,280 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $44,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Rochester?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% 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).