Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Springfield?

Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $31,000 in Springfield.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Springfield?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Springfield Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Springfield

Missouri

$940/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 $940 in Springfield, MO. Overall, Springfield, MO is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $45,984 in Springfield, MO — about 49% higher in Aurora, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Springfield, MO

Rent

Studio

$893

$760

+15% in Aurora, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$772

+35% in Aurora, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$926

+40% in Aurora, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$1,158

+36% in Aurora, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$165,200

+37% in Aurora, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$45,984

+49% in Aurora, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$45,780

+16% in Aurora, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

33.6 yr

+1.6 yr in Aurora, IL

Homeownership

66.8%

42.9%

+23.9 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

30.3%

+6.9 pp in Aurora, IL

Avg Commute

28.0 min

18.0 min

+10.0 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

1,189.8

+342% in Springfield, MO

Property Crime

1,247.4

4,231.6

+239% in Springfield, MO

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

56.3°F

+6.4°F in Springfield, MO

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

45.6 in

+8.7 in in Springfield, MO

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

13.7

+43% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$24.13

+57% in Springfield, MO

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 / MO)

6.25%

4.225%

+2.0 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

4.70%

+0.3 pp in IL

Aurora vs Springfield — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Springfield?: Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Aurora, IL's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Springfield?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $31,000 in Springfield.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Springfield?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% 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).