Aurora, IL vs Springfield, IL

The cost of living difference between Aurora, IL and Springfield, IL is dramatic. Springfield is 41.9% cheaper than Aurora, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Aurora has a cost index of 104 while Springfield sits at 73, 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 $945/month in Springfield — a 62% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Springfield is more affordable at $155,200 median vs $260,400.

Median household income in Aurora is $90,109 compared to $65,537 in Springfield (+37.5%). The higher salaries in Aurora partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Aurora spend roughly 20.4% of their income on rent, more than the 17.3% in Springfield.