Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Seattle?

Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,420 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $74,000 in Seattle.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Seattle?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Seattle Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Seattle

Washington

$2,030/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 $2,030 in Seattle, WA. Overall, Aurora, IL is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $121,984 in Seattle, WA — about 26% higher in Seattle, WA. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Seattle, WA

Rent

Studio

$893

$1,638

+83% in Seattle, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$1,858

+57% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$2,359

+52% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$2,918

+62% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$912,100

+250% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$121,984

+35% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$72,610

+33% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

35.5 yr

+0.3 yr in Seattle, WA

Homeownership

66.8%

44.2%

+22.6 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

67.5%

+30.3 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

28.0 min

26.6 min

+1.4 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

788.6

+193% in Seattle, WA

Property Crime

1,247.4

5,108.8

+310% in Seattle, WA

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

53.5°F

+3.6°F in Seattle, WA

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

37.7 in

+0.8 in in Seattle, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.31/gal

+35% in Seattle, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Seattle.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs King County Metro (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

14.9

+37% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$20.41

+33% in Seattle, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Seattle, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Seattle, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Aurora, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Seattle, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Aurora, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Seattle, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / WA)

6.25%

6.5%

+0.3 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

None

+5.0 pp in IL

Aurora vs Seattle — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Seattle?: Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,420 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Seattle?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $74,000 in Seattle.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Seattle?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax 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).