Cost of Living in Aurora, IL

Population 179,867 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Aurora cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $260,000, rents near $1,535 a month.

Cost Overview

Housing 85

Rent 117

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Aurora

The median home value in Aurora is $260,400 — 15% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,535/month, 17% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $90,109/year is 21% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.9%, above the national average of 4.8%. Illinois's top state income tax rate is 5.0% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. Overall, Aurora has a cost of living index of 98 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 2% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$260,400

15% below avg

Zillow Home Value

$310,837

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$1,535/mo

17% above avg

Zillow Rent

$2,232/mo

Zillow ZORI

Price-to-Rent Ratio

14.1x

Favors buying

Property Tax Rate

2.2%

Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio

$651

1 BR

$741

2 BR

$899

3 BR

$1,196

4 BR

$1,364

Owner-occupied 66.8%

Renter-occupied 33.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$1,535

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $2,149/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚

Eggs (dozen)

$0.548

🍞

White Bread (lb)

$1.912

🥩

Ground Beef (lb)

$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute

30.3 min

12% above avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

14.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

67.7%

Carpooled

11.2%

Public transit

3.6%

Walked

1.6%

Bicycle

0.1%

Work from home

14.5%

⚡ Utilities

Electricity

$0.176/kWh

0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 5.0%

Total Sales Tax 8.7%

State rate 6.3%

Avg local rate 2.5%

Property Tax 2.2%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income

$90,109

21% above avg

Per Capita Income

$39,604

Unemployment Rate

5.9%

22% above avg

Poverty Rate

9.8%

Labor Force Participation

72.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.5%

Graduate degree 14.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.2

Male median age 34

Female median age 36.2

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 46 — Good

61.8%

Good air days/yr

174

Max AQI recorded

PM2.5 days

198

Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Aurora, IL?

Aurora has a cost index of 98 (100 = national average). It is 2% below the national average.

What is average rent in Aurora, IL?

The median gross rent in Aurora is $1,535 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Aurora?

The median home value in Aurora is $260,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Aurora?

The median household income in Aurora is $90,109 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Aurora, IL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Aurora is 8.7%. The Illinois state income tax top rate is 5.0%.

Is Aurora, IL affordable?

Aurora is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 98 (100 = US average).

Aurora at a Glance

Population: 179,867
Median Income: $90,109
Home Value: $260,400
Median Rent: $1,535/mo
Unemployment: 5.9%
Sales Tax: 8.7%

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