Santa Rosa vs Aurora: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Santa Rosa, CA and Aurora, IL, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Aurora, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,221 | 181,405 |
| Median household income | $92,604 | $85,943 |
| Median home value | $661,700 | $241,600 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,024 | $1,462 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Santa Rosa, CA and Aurora, IL comes down to what you value most. Aurora has the lower median home value, and Aurora has the lower median rent.
Santa Rosa has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Santa Rosa or Aurora?
- By median home value, Aurora is the cheaper of the two ($241,600 vs $661,700). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Santa Rosa or Aurora?
- Median household income is $92,604 in Santa Rosa versus $85,943 in Aurora, per the US Census Bureau.