Question 1

Is Aurora or Springfield cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Springfield, MO is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $526/month less than in Aurora, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,535/mo in Aurora versus $1,095/mo in Springfield.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Aurora vs Springfield?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $75,500/year before tax in Aurora, IL and $62,500/year in Springfield, MO — a difference of about $13,000. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Aurora or Springfield cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Springfield, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $9,240/month in Aurora and $8,054/month in Springfield, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Aurora or Springfield?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Springfield costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Aurora68	Springfield61
Est. monthly cost (single)	$4,024	$3,498
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$9,240	$8,054
Salary for comfort	$75,500/yr	$62,500/yr
Typical rent	$1,535	$1,095
Median home value	$260,400	$165,200
Median household income	$90,109	$45,984
Unemployment	4.9%	3.9%
Housing score	93	60
Jobs score	20	82
Safety score	83	6
Climate score	81	96
Amenities score	30	21
Population	179.9K	169.4K
Summer high / winter low	85° / 16°	89° / 22°

Aurora, IL vs Springfield, MO