Aurora vs Modesto: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Aurora, Illinois compare to Modesto, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Aurora is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 37% lower in Aurora compared to Modesto, while rent is 2% lower. State income tax is 4.95% in IL vs 13.3% in CA.
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Modesto, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $241,600 | $381,800 | -36.7% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,462 | $1,497 | -2.3% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $85,943 | $73,375 | +17.1% |
| Per Capita Income | $38,064 | $32,897 | +15.7% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 5.0% | 13.3% | -62.8% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.8% | 8.7% | +1.7% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 181,405 | 218,308 | -16.9% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Aurora
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Modesto
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Aurora costs $241,600 compared to $381,800 in Modesto — a 37% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,462/mo in Aurora vs $1,497/mo in Modesto.
- Income: Median household income is $85,943 in Aurora and $73,375 in Modesto.
- Taxes: State income tax is 4.95% in Illinois vs 13.3% in California.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).