CostIndexUSA

Aurora, IL vs Santa Barbara, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIL
Aurora
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
CA
Santa Barbara
108.8
overall index
$2,275/mo rent

Aurora is moderately cheaper than Santa Barbara — 5.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Aurora, you would need $84,000 in Santa Barbara. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+35.2%
Aurora
112
Santa Barbara
151.4
🛒 Groceries2.0%
Aurora
107.3
Santa Barbara
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Aurora
105.5
Santa Barbara
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Aurora
95.5
Santa Barbara
95.3
Utilities+79.2%
Aurora
83.6
Santa Barbara
149.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Aurora to see what you'd need to earn in Santa Barbara to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Barbara, CA
$84,000
$4,000 more needed in Santa Barbara

Formula: salary × (108.8 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 1.0502. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Aurora, IL

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
112
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Santa Barbara, CA

Median Home Price
$510,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,275
Housing Index
151.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7×

Santa Barbara has 35.2% higher housing costs compared to Aurora.

Income & Job Market

Aurora, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
197,899
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

Santa Barbara, CA

Median Household Income
$91,200
Per Capita Income
$52,000
Unemployment Rate
6.1%
Population
88,255
Top Industries
EducationTourismTechnologyHealthcareBiotechnology

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Aurora, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Santa Barbara, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.