Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $35,000 in Sioux Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Sioux Falls?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Sioux Falls under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Sioux Falls Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Sioux Falls

South Dakota

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Sioux Falls, SD. Overall, Sioux Falls, SD is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $74,714 in Sioux Falls, SD — about 17% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Sioux Falls, SD

Rent

Studio

$893

$825

+8% in Aurora, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$870

+26% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,000

+35% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,237

+31% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$271,400

+4% in Sioux Falls, SD

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$74,714

+17% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$47,970

+12% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

35.1 yr

+0.1 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

66.8%

60.0%

+6.8 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

37.4%

+0.2 pp in Sioux Falls, SD

Avg Commute

28.0 min

17.0 min

+11.0 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

526.7

+96% in Sioux Falls, SD

Property Crime

1,247.4

2,927.1

+135% in Sioux Falls, SD

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

45.8°F

+4.1°F in Aurora, IL

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

26.4 in

+10.5 in in Aurora, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

15.7

+34% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$10.95

+29% 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 / SD)

6.25%

4.2%

+2.0 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

None

+5.0 pp in IL

Aurora vs Sioux Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Sioux Falls?: Sioux Falls, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Sioux Falls?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $35,000 in Sioux Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Sioux Falls?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Sioux Falls under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% 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).