Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Aurora, IL (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Aurora

Illinois
100

St. Petersburg is 6% more expensive than Aurora.

$1,542/mo ≈ Same
Median Rent
$1,535/mo ≈ Same
$73,118/yr ↓ 19%
Median Income
$90,109/yr ↑ 23%
$331,500 ↑ 27%
Home Value
$260,400 ↓ 21%
$1,435/mo ↓ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,591/mo ↑ 11%
260,646
Population
179,867

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.95%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Aurora, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $16,991/year higher in Aurora. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $260,400 in Aurora.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Illinois's 4.95% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Aurora — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Aurora cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Aurora is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Aurora?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Aurora it's $1,535/month — a difference of $7/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Aurora?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $90,109 in Aurora. Median household income is $16,991/year higher in Aurora.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Illinois?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Aurora?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/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. Petersburg details → View Aurora details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Petersburg and Aurora

St. Petersburg vs. Lubbock St. Petersburg vs. Laredo St. Petersburg vs. Fort Wayne St. Petersburg vs. Irving St. Petersburg vs. Toledo St. Petersburg vs. Chesapeake Aurora vs. Chattanooga Aurora vs. Ontario Aurora vs. Fort Lauderdale Aurora vs. Eugene Aurora vs. Shreveport Aurora vs. Elk Grove