Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Aurora, IL (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Aurora

Illinois
100

San Antonio is 18% cheaper than Aurora.

$1,258/mo ↓ 18%
Median Rent
$1,535/mo ↑ 22%
$62,917/yr ↓ 30%
Median Income
$90,109/yr ↑ 43%
$219,700 ↓ 16%
Home Value
$260,400 ↑ 19%
$1,235/mo ↓ 22%
Owner Costs
$1,591/mo ↑ 29%
1,458,954
Population
179,867

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Aurora, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $277/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $3,324/year.

Median household income is $27,192/year higher in Aurora. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $260,400 in Aurora.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Aurora — common questions

Is San Antonio or Aurora cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Aurora?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Aurora it's $1,535/month — a difference of $277/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Aurora?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $90,109 in Aurora. Median household income is $27,192/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 San Antonio or Aurora?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/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 San Antonio details → View Aurora details →

More Comparisons

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