Median rent is 18% lower in Aurora ($1,535/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in Aurora, where the median home runs $260,400 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Aurora ($90,109 vs $80,366 a year).
City A
Aurora, IL
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Aurora, IL?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Aurora
Illinois
Los Angeles
California
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Aurora at $1,535/mo compared to $1,879/mo in Los Angeles (18% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $260,400 in Aurora — 70% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% versus 13.30% in California, so Aurora is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 7.25% in California; Aurora has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Aurora
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Aurora has cleaner air on average: 16.0 AQI (Good) compared to 77.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Aurora if you prioritize higher median household income ($90,109/yr).
Pick Aurora if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,535/mo median).
Pick Aurora if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 16.0).
Pick Aurora if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.95%).
Is Aurora cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Aurora vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $1,535/mo in Aurora, IL and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Aurora, IL has the lower rent by about 18%.
Which has higher salaries — Aurora or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Aurora, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Aurora, IL has better air quality on average: 16.0 AQI versus 77.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Aurora or Los Angeles?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and California's is 13.30%. Aurora, IL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Aurora income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology