CostIndexUSA

Aurora, IL vs Chicago, IL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

≈ Equal CostIL
Aurora
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
IL
Chicago
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent

Aurora and Chicago have nearly identical costs of living.

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing≈ Equal
Aurora
112
Chicago
112
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Aurora
107.3
Chicago
107.3
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Aurora
105.5
Chicago
105.5
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Aurora
95.5
Chicago
95.5
Utilities≈ Equal
Aurora
83.6
Chicago
83.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Chicago, IL
$80,000
Same salary works in both cities

Formula: salary × (103.6 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 1.0000. 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×

Chicago, IL

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

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

Chicago, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
2,693,976
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyRetail

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)

Chicago, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.