CostIndexUSA

Aurora, IL vs Boston, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIL
Aurora
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
MA
Boston
108.3
overall index
$3,050/mo rent

Aurora is slightly cheaper than Boston — 4.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Aurora, you would need $83,600 in Boston. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+32.5%
Aurora
112
Boston
148.4
🛒 Groceries7.1%
Aurora
107.3
Boston
99.7
🚗 Transportation+3.1%
Aurora
105.5
Boston
108.8
🏥 Healthcare+3.0%
Aurora
95.5
Boston
98.4
Utilities+78.0%
Aurora
83.6
Boston
148.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Aurora to see what you'd need to earn in Boston to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Boston, MA
$83,600
$3,600 more needed in Boston

Formula: salary × (108.3 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 1.0454. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Aurora, IL

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
112
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Boston, MA

Median Home Price
$709,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,050
Housing Index
148.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Boston has 32.5% higher housing costs compared to Aurora.

Income & Job Market

Aurora, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
197,899
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

Boston, MA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
692,600
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceTechnologyBiotechnology

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Aurora, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Boston, MA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.