Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Aurora, IL (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Aurora

Illinois
100

El Paso is 33% cheaper than Aurora.

$1,041/mo ↓ 32%
Median Rent
$1,535/mo ↑ 47%
$58,734/yr ↓ 35%
Median Income
$90,109/yr ↑ 53%
$171,700 ↓ 34%
Home Value
$260,400 ↑ 52%
$1,044/mo ↓ 34%
Owner Costs
$1,591/mo ↑ 52%
678,147
Population
179,867

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.95%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Aurora, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $494/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $5,928/year.

Median household income is $31,375/year higher in Aurora. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $260,400 in Aurora.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Illinois's 4.95% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Aurora — common questions

Is El Paso or Aurora cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Aurora?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Aurora it's $1,535/month — a difference of $494/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Aurora?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $90,109 in Aurora. Median household income is $31,375/year higher in Aurora.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Illinois?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Aurora?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Aurora has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,535/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Aurora details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Aurora

El Paso vs. Nashville El Paso vs. Washington El Paso vs. Oklahoma City El Paso vs. Boston El Paso vs. Denver El Paso vs. Las Vegas Aurora vs. Chattanooga Aurora vs. Ontario Aurora vs. Fort Lauderdale Aurora vs. Eugene Aurora vs. Shreveport Aurora vs. Elk Grove