salaryAurora is the 2nd-largest city in Illinois that we track, with 179,898 residents. Rent is higher than in 62% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $75,480 a year. That is $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Illinois cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Illinois. It is number 247 of 334 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Aurora with other big cities
Compare Aurora to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Aurora?
Share of households by yearly income. 35.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Aurora
| Size | Aurora | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,190 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,409 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,778 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,102 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,088 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Aurora overall?
Everyday prices in Illinois overall are same as the U.S. average (index 100.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Aurora, so the Illinois figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Aurora
Life in Aurora
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Aurora?
About the same. Renting and owning cost within $20 of each other each month.
Owning assumes a typical $274,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $27,480 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Aurora, IL?
Renting in Aurora costs a median of about $1,887 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Illinois median is $1,517.
How much do I need to make to live in Aurora?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $75,480 a year, or $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Aurora cheap or expensive?
Aurora is rated OK: rent takes 22.4% of the typical household income of $100,983. It ranks 247th cheapest of 334 Illinois cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Aurora?
The median homeowner in Aurora pays $6,263 a year in property taxes, about 2.28% of the median home value.
Is Aurora more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Illinois are same as the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Aurora?
The median home value in Aurora is $274,800, about 2.7 times the typical yearly household income.
179,898 people live in Aurora. Numbers are typical (middle) values.