Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Spokane?

Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Spokane?

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

Aurora vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Spokane, WA is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 27% higher in Aurora, IL. 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

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$893

$884

+1% in Aurora, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$903

+24% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,192

+23% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,442

+20% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$326,200

+25% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$65,745

+27% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$54,660

+0% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

37.2 yr

+2.0 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

66.8%

58.3%

+8.5 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

32.6%

+4.6 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

21.2 min

+6.8 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

683.6

+154% in Spokane, WA

Property Crime

1,247.4

4,931.8

+295% in Spokane, 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

48.9°F

+1.0°F in Aurora, IL

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

17.8 in

+19.1 in in Aurora, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.12/gal

+30% in Spokane, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

14.9

+37% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$20.41

+33% in Spokane, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Aurora, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Spokane, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Aurora, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Spokane, 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 Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Spokane?: Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Spokane?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Spokane 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).