Aurora, IL vs Decatur, IL

The cost of living difference between Aurora, IL and Decatur, IL is dramatic. Decatur is 66.2% cheaper than Aurora, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Aurora has a cost index of 104 while Decatur sits at 62, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Aurora is $1,535/month compared to $796/month in Decatur — a 93% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Decatur is more affordable at $97,300 median vs $260,400.

Median household income in Aurora is $90,109 compared to $50,809 in Decatur (+77.3%). While Aurora is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Aurora spend roughly 20.4% of their income on rent, more than the 18.8% in Decatur.