CostIndexUSA

Aurora, IL vs Monroe, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Aurora
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Monroe
83.6
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

Monroe is significantly cheaper than Aurora — 19.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Aurora, you would need $64,600 in Monroe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing61.8%
Aurora
112
Monroe
42.8
🛒 Groceries12.7%
Aurora
107.3
Monroe
93.7
🚗 Transportation4.7%
Aurora
105.5
Monroe
100.5
🏥 Healthcare4.8%
Aurora
95.5
Monroe
90.9
Utilities13.6%
Aurora
83.6
Monroe
72.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Monroe, LA
$64,600
$15,400 less needed in Monroe

Formula: salary × (83.6 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.8069. 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×

Monroe, LA

Median Home Price
$157,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
42.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.9×

Aurora has 61.8% lower housing costs compared to Monroe.

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

Monroe, LA

Median Household Income
$50,300
Per Capita Income
$28,700
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
Population
47,252
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingGovernmentRetail

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)

Monroe, LA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.