Cost of Living: St. Paul, MN vs Aurora, IL (2026)

St. Paul

Minnesota
91
VS

Aurora

Illinois
100

St. Paul is 9% cheaper than Aurora.

$1,248/mo ↓ 19%
Median Rent
$1,535/mo ↑ 23%
$73,055/yr ↓ 19%
Median Income
$90,109/yr ↑ 23%
$280,300 ↑ 8%
Home Value
$260,400 ↓ 7%
$1,390/mo ↓ 13%
Owner Costs
$1,591/mo ↑ 14%
307,762
Population
179,867

Tax Comparison

9.85%
Income Tax
4.95%
6.875%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
1.11%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Paul, MN and Aurora, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $287/month cheaper in St. Paul, saving renters about $3,444/year.

Median household income is $17,054/year higher in Aurora. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Paul is $280,300 compared to $260,400 in Aurora.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Paul vs Aurora — common questions

Is St. Paul or Aurora cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Paul is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Paul and Aurora?
Median rent in St. Paul is $1,248/month and in Aurora it's $1,535/month — a difference of $287/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Paul or Aurora?
Median household income is $73,055 in St. Paul and $90,109 in Aurora. Median household income is $17,054/year higher in Aurora.
How do taxes compare between Minnesota and Illinois?
Minnesota has 9.85% income tax, 6.875% sales tax, and 1.11% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to St. Paul or Aurora?
It depends on your priorities. St. Paul has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,248/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 St. Paul details → View Aurora details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Paul and Aurora

St. Paul vs. Irvine St. Paul vs. Newark St. Paul vs. Cincinnati St. Paul vs. Pittsburgh St. Paul vs. Santa Ana St. Paul vs. Greensboro Aurora vs. Chattanooga Aurora vs. Ontario Aurora vs. Fort Lauderdale Aurora vs. Eugene Aurora vs. Shreveport Aurora vs. Elk Grove