Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Rochester?

Rochester, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% 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 $34,000 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 New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Rochester

New York

$1,160/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 $1,160 in Rochester, NY. Overall, Rochester, NY is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $46,628 in Rochester, NY — about 48% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Rochester, NY

Rent

Studio

$893

$750

+16% in Aurora, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$857

+28% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,114

+28% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,240

+31% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$120,600

+54% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$46,628

+48% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$51,210

+6% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

33.5 yr

+1.7 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

66.8%

37.2%

+29.6 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

29.9%

+7.3 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

18.9 min

+9.1 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

690

+156% in Rochester, NY

Property Crime

1,247.4

3,533.4

+183% in Rochester, NY

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

48.2°F

+1.7°F in Aurora, IL

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

34.3 in

+2.6 in in Aurora, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.04/gal

+3% in Rochester, NY

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs New York.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

29.9

+25% in Rochester, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$22.74

+48% in Rochester, NY

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 Rochester, NY

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Aurora, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Rochester, NY

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Rochester, NY

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Rochester, NY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / NY)

6.25%

+2.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

10.90%

+6.0 pp in NY

Aurora vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Rochester?: Rochester, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% 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 $34,000 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 New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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).