Cost of Living: New York, NY vs Aurora, IL (2026)

New York

New York
166
VS

Aurora

Illinois
100

New York is 66% more expensive than Aurora.

$1,779/mo ↑ 16%
Median Rent
$1,535/mo ↓ 14%
$79,713/yr ↓ 12%
Median Income
$90,109/yr ↑ 13%
$751,700 ↑ 189%
Home Value
$260,400 ↓ 65%
$1,837/mo ↑ 15%
Owner Costs
$1,591/mo ↓ 13%
8,516,202
Population
179,867

Tax Comparison

10.9%
Income Tax
4.95%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
1.62%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing New York, NY and Aurora, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 166 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $244/month cheaper in Aurora, saving renters about $2,928/year.

Median household income is $10,396/year higher in Aurora. Home values also differ significantly — the median in New York is $751,700 compared to $260,400 in Aurora.

Illinois has a lower income tax rate, making Aurora slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

New York vs Aurora — common questions

Is New York or Aurora cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Aurora is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 166 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between New York and Aurora?
Median rent in New York is $1,779/month and in Aurora it's $1,535/month — a difference of $244/month.
Which city has higher income, New York or Aurora?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York and $90,109 in Aurora. Median household income is $10,396/year higher in Aurora.
How do taxes compare between New York and Illinois?
New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to New York or Aurora?
It depends on your priorities. New York has a cost index of 166 with median rent of $1,779/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 New York details → View Aurora details →

More Comparisons

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