Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Aurora, IL and Chicago, IL

For one person, living is cheaper in Aurora, IL: $2,774 a month against $3,037 in Chicago, IL, rent and utilities included – about $3,200 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

134

Cost of Living Index in Aurora, IL
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Aurora, IL Living Index
147

Cost of Living Index in Chicago, IL
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Chicago, IL Living Index

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Aurora, IL

🇺🇸 United States

$2,774

/mo nomad

Chicago, IL

🇺🇸 United States

$3,037

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Aurora, IL and in Chicago, IL

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Aurora, IL and in Chicago, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,774 per month in Aurora, IL vs $3,037 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Aurora, IL $2,774
Chicago, IL $3,037

A couple spends around $3,792 per month in Aurora, IL vs $4,518 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Aurora, IL $3,792
Chicago, IL $4,518

A family of three spends $4,810 per month in Aurora, IL vs $5,999 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Aurora, IL $4,810
Chicago, IL $5,999

Aurora, IL is about 9% cheaper than Chicago, IL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Aurora, IL and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Aurora, IL by 104%, Chicago, IL by 123%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.22 $14.22

$20.71 $20.71

-31.34%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$59.5 $59.5

$89.2 $89.2

-33.36%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.78 $11.78

$13.19 $13.19

-10.69%

Cappuccino

$5.40 $5.40

$5.66 $5.66

-4.59%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.89 $2.89

$2.64 $2.64

9.47%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 $2.27

$2.28 $2.28

-0.44%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.85 $4.85

$6.87 $6.87

-29.40%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.87 $7.87

$8.84 $8.84

-10.97%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.91 $0.91

$1.25 $1.25

-27.20%

White Bread (500g)

$3.53 $3.53

$3.72 $3.72

-5.11%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.31 $4.31

$5.39 $5.39

-20.04%

Eggs

$3.64 $3.64

$4.74 $4.74

-23.21%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.92 $8.92

$13.84 $13.84

-35.55%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.49 $11.49

$14.40 $14.40

-20.21%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.23 $16.23

$18.38 $18.38

-11.70%

Apples (1kg)

$4.62 $4.62

$5.22 $5.22

-11.49%

Banana (1kg)

$1.73 $1.73

$1.98 $1.98

-12.63%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.73 $3.73

$4.06 $4.06

-8.13%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.18 $3.18

$4.97 $4.97

-36.02%

Potato (1kg)

$1.89 $1.89

$2.67 $2.67

-29.21%

Onion (1kg)

$2.72 $2.72

$2.66 $2.66

2.26%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.78 $1.78

$2.24 $2.24

-20.54%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.63 $1.63

$3.13 $3.13

-47.92%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.56 $10.56

$13.82 $13.82

-23.59%

Wine (Bottle)

$13.70 $13.70

$14.88 $14.88

-7.93%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.31 $2.31

$2.54 $2.54

-9.06%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.81 $2.81

$3.51 $3.51

-19.94%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.27 $2.27

$2.43 $2.43

-6.58%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$96.8 $96.8

$73.5 $73.5

31.58%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.04 $4.04

$3.18 $3.18

27.04%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.98 $1.98

$1.39 $1.39

42.45%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$43.86 $43.86

$25.03 $25.03

75.23%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.20 $1.20

-9.17%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$27.1K $27.1K

$35.0K $35.0K

-22.59%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.0K $26.0K

$26.7K $26.7K

-2.59%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$174 $174

$194 $194

-10.51%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$51.5 $51.5

$69.5 $69.5

-25.79%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$55.2 $55.2

$61.6 $61.6

-10.43%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$17.52 $17.52

$47.90 $47.90

-63.42%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.34 $27.34

Cinema Ticket

$12.19 $12.19

$17.81 $17.81

-31.56%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,470 $1,470

$1,794 $1,794

-18.05%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.6K $23.6K

$31.9K $31.9K

-26.04%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.2 $56.2

$67.0 $67.0

-16.20%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 $51.2

$52.1 $52.1

-1.80%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.2 $89.2

$102 $102

-12.18%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$80.6 $80.6

$144 $144

-43.95%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,594 $1,594

$2,526 $2,526

-36.89%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,577 $1,577

$1,578 $1,578

-0.07%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,856 $2,856

$4,738 $4,738

-39.72%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,215 $2,215

$2,693 $2,693

-17.73%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,141 $5,141

$4,190 $4,190

22.72%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,361 $2,361

$2,768 $2,768

-14.72%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,880 $3,880

$4,931 $4,931

-21.30%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.45

6.81

-5.29%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Aurora, IL: October 24, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Aurora, IL

$1.6K 56.9%

Chicago, IL

$1.6K 52% 0.1% $1.1

Groceries & Markets

Aurora, IL

$356 12.8%

Chicago, IL

$447 14.7% 25.8% $92

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Aurora, IL

$281 10.1%

Chicago, IL

$326 10.7% 16% $45

Eating Out

Aurora, IL

$274 9.9%

Chicago, IL

$345 11.4% 25.7% $70

Clothing & Footwear

Aurora, IL

$125 4.5%

Chicago, IL

$164 5.4% 31.5% $39

Getting Around

Aurora, IL

$120 4.3%

Chicago, IL

$93 3.1% 22% $26

Sport & Entertainment

Aurora, IL

$42 1.5%

Chicago, IL

$84 2.8% 99.3% $42

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,594 in Aurora, IL versus $2,526 in Chicago, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 27% higher in Chicago, IL. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $59 in Aurora, IL versus $89 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $356 vs $447 – making Aurora, IL the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Aurora, IL

🇺🇸 Chicago, IL

🕒 Local time

12:44 12:44 PM

Same time as Aurora, IL

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

180,542

2,746,388

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.898 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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Aurora, IL Chicago, IL 59 km

From you

Aurora, IL
Chicago, IL

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Aurora, IL vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago, IL costs about 9% more than Aurora, IL, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,161 per month in Aurora, IL and $4,555 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Aurora, IL, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,594 there versus $2,526 in Chicago, IL.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $59 in Aurora, IL and $89 in Chicago, IL. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,774 in Aurora, IL and $3,037 in Chicago, IL. That’s a gap of about 9%.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,774 in Aurora, IL and $3,037 in Chicago, IL. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Aurora, IL – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Aurora, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chicago, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.