True Cost of Renting in Aurora, IL

Aurora is Chicago's second-largest city — a fact that surprises most outsiders. It straddles the Fox River 40 miles west of Chicago's Loop, offering significantly lower rents with Metra BNSF train access to Downtown Chicago in about 75 minutes. The city's downtown redevelopment and growing tech presence along the I-88 research corridor make it a practical choice for commuters priced out of Chicago.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Downtown Aurora

Studio:
$900/mo
1 Bed:
$1,200/mo
2 Bed:
$1,700/mo

Redeveloping riverfront district with the Paramount Theatre and growing restaurant scene. Metra BNSF station walkable. ComEd electric. Street parking is generally free. Lower rents than any comparable Chicago neighborhood — Aurora's best value for Chicago commuters.

North Aurora / Randall Road Corridor

1 Bed:
$1,400/mo
2 Bed:
$1,900/mo

Suburban apartment complex corridor along Randall Road; newer construction with amenities. Car-dependent but close to I-88 tech corridor employment (Fermi National Accelerator Lab, Navistar). Strong retail and restaurant access.

Fox Valley Area

1 Bed:
$1,300/mo
2 Bed:
$1,700/mo

Southern Aurora and unincorporated Kane County; townhome and apartment rentals at suburban prices. Fox Valley Mall nearby. Longer Metra commute from Oswego or Montgomery stops. Best value for families who need space over commute time.

Utility Providers

Electric
ComEd (Commonwealth Edison)
Water
City of Aurora Water Department
Internet
Comcast Xfinity, AT&T Internet, T-Mobile Home Internet

Commute & Transportation

Aurora's Metra BNSF station (Route 59 or Aurora Terminal) offers express service to Chicago Union Station and the Loop in 60–75 minutes, with monthly passes around $200–230. The I-88 Illinois Tollway connects Aurora to Chicago in 45–60 minutes by car (toll: $1.60–3.20 each way). I-88 is also the spine of Chicago's west suburban tech corridor, with Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Lab, and major corporate campuses in Naperville, Lisle, and Warrenville all within 15–25 minutes. Midway Airport is 35 miles east via I-88 and I-55.

Rental Market Overview

Aurora represents one of the best value propositions in the Chicago metro — 1BR rents are 40–50% below comparable Chicago neighborhoods while maintaining Metra access to the Loop. The downtown redevelopment has brought new restaurants and arts venues without yet pushing rents to suburban Naperville or Downers Grove levels. ComEd electric rates apply throughout the area ($0.12–0.14/kWh). Kane and DuPage County property tax rates are lower than Cook County, which moderates rent growth pressure from landlords. The I-88 tech corridor creates professional employment within a short commute from Aurora, making it a genuine alternative for tech workers at salaries that make Chicago rents feasible.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Aurora

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Renting in Aurora: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Aurora?
One-bedroom apartments in Aurora range from $1,200/month in Downtown Aurora to $1,400/month in North Aurora / Randall Road Corridor. Two-bedroom units range from $1,700 to $1,900/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Aurora?
In Aurora, electricity is provided by ComEd (Commonwealth Edison), water by City of Aurora Water Department, and common internet providers include Comcast Xfinity, AT&T Internet, T-Mobile Home Internet. Ask the leasing office for the specific unit's average monthly bill rather than a city-wide figure — utility costs vary more by building age and insulation than by location within Aurora.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Aurora?
Downtown Aurora is the most affordable of the 3 Aurora neighborhoods covered here, at $1,200/month for a one-bedroom — $200 less than North Aurora / Randall Road Corridor, roughly a 14% gap. That swing is often bigger than any fee or amenity difference between two buildings in the same neighborhood, which is why comparing across neighborhoods matters as much as comparing within one.
Is Aurora expensive to rent in?
Across the 3 neighborhoods covered here, the average one-bedroom in Aurora runs about $1,300/month before fees, utilities, and amenities are added — and those add-ons are exactly what a bare average hides. Aurora represents one of the best value propositions in the Chicago metro — 1BR rents are 40–50% below comparable Chicago neighborhoods while maintaining Metra access to the Loop. Run the specific units you are considering through RentCompare to see the true all-in monthly cost rather than relying on an area average.

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