Aurora

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Aurora, IL

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Where big-city amenities meet small-town charm.

Commutes • Suburban • Community • Events • Architecture • Riverfront • Attractions •

Finding a place to live in Aurora is no ordinary experience for newcomers. A mix of well-preserved history and community-wide creativity makes this city feel smaller than it actually is. Only Chicago has more residents, but Aurora's convenient and picturesque spot along Fox River has turned it into a transportation, entertainment, and shopping hub for urban commuters, suburban transplants, and lifelong locals alike.

Downtown streets are filled with masterpieces by everyone from Frank Lloyd Wright to George Grant Elmslie, who built more commercial buildings here than anywhere in the world. There are even dozens of still-standing homes built from Sears Catalog kits in the early 20th century. Among all this architectural history are rooms for rent, apartment complexes designed to blend in with the historic styles, and brand new units that keep springing up in response to growing business opportunities.

The Fox River divides Aurora into the East Side and the West Side, and the County Line creates a third area, Fox Valley, which borders neighboring Naperville. These three regions contain several neighborhoods that played an important role in modern American architecture, as well as brand new residential and commercial areas that are expanding opportunities for renters and job-seekers alike.

The Boulevard District is wedged just northwest of the river, between Galena Boulevard and Prairie Street. Home to both Aurora University and Abraham Lincoln Park, and stopping just north of Aurora Country Club, this district is one of the most family-friendly residential parts of town. But even if you don't have kids, you'll enjoy the youthful vibe that comes with proximity to a college campus.

The Fox River is the focal point of Aurora culture and recreation, and right in the middle of it, Stolp Island holds three of the city's most popular attractions: Paramount Theatre, Hollywood Casino, and Leland Tower. Built in 1931, the Paramount Theatre is one Aurora's oldest landmarks, but it's also a working performance venue that still hosts big-name music acts, stand-up comedians, and the Broadway Series of critically acclaimed musicals. Hollywood Casino, meanwhile, offers a Vegas-style buffet, the award-winning Fairbanks Steakhouse, and exciting poker tournaments.

Just east of Stolp Island, on the other side of the river, RiverEdge Park is one of the Greater Chicago Area's most attractive outdoor entertainment options. Right next to the Metra Station for easy city access, the venue's ten-acre pavilion and 30-acre park fill up each year for seasonal events like the Fox Valley Irish Festival, the summer concert series Downtown Alive!, and the blues festival Blues on the Fox.

Other events and attractions include the Aurora ArtWalk, the SciTech Interactive Science Museum and outdoor science park near the Aurora Public Library, The Sunken Garden, and the Phillips Park Zoo.

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Rent Trends

As of March 2025, the average apartment rent in Aurora, IL is $1,136 for a studio, $1,567 for one bedroom, $1,961 for two bedrooms, and $2,223 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Aurora has increased by 3.5% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,567/month
722 Sq Ft
House
$2,910/month
1,860 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,867/month
989 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,671/month
1,549 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Aurora, IL

Transportation

50

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

23

Minimal Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

56

Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

Homestead Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

494 Students

9
out of 10

Wolfs Crossing Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

485 Students

9
out of 10

Gwendolyn Brooks Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

723 Students

8
out of 10

Peter M Gombert Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

403 Students

7
out of 10

C I Johnson Elementary School

Public

Grades 3-5

378 Students

7
out of 10

Fred Rodgers Magnet Academy

Public

Grades 6-8

277 Students

9
out of 10

Francis Granger Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

1,021 Students

7
out of 10

Still Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

642 Students

7
out of 10

Bednarcik Junior High School

Public

Grades 6-8

571 Students

7
out of 10

Jefferson Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

584 Students

6
out of 10

Il Mathematics & Science Academy

Public

Grades 10-12

628 Students

9
out of 10

Waubonsie Valley High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,766 Students

7
out of 10

Metea Valley High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,715 Students

7
out of 10

West Aurora High School

Public

Grades 9-12

3,818 Students

4
out of 10

East High School

Public

Grades 9-12

4,197 Students

3
out of 10
School data provided by GreatSchools    The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.

Points of Interest

Top Apartments in Aurora

The Aventine at Oakhurst North

The Aventine at Oakhurst North

2800 Pontiac Dr,
Aurora, IL 60502

$1,665 - $2,499 | 1-2 Beds

Lumen Fox Valley

Lumen Fox Valley

4450 Fox Valley Center Dr,
Aurora, IL 60504

$1,699 - $6,667 | Studio - 2 Beds

Arden Luxury Apartments and Townhomes

Arden Luxury Apartments and Townhomes

28294 Ferry Rd,
Warrenville, IL 60555

$1,971 - $3,800 | 1-3 Beds

McDowell Point

McDowell Point

1420 Diehl Rd,
Naperville, IL 60563

$2,499 - $3,750 | 1-3 Beds

Emblem Oswego

Emblem Oswego

2000 Emblem Cir,
Oswego, IL 60543

$1,791 - $2,349 | 1-2 Beds

Fox Valley Villages

Fox Valley Villages

710 S Eola Rd,
Aurora, IL 60504

$1,601 - $2,483 | 1-2 Beds

Haven on Long Grove

Haven on Long Grove

826 Terrace Lake Dr,
Aurora, IL 60504

$2,170 - $2,619 | 1-2 Beds

500 Station Apartments

500 Station Apartments

675 Station Blvd,
Aurora, IL 60504

$1,828 - $3,321 | 1-3 Beds

Redwood Aurora

Redwood Aurora

1241 Coffeeberry Ln,
Aurora, IL 60506

$2,299 - $3,029 | 2 Beds

Houses for Rent in Aurora

2766 Middleton Ct

2766 Middleton Ct,
Aurora, IL 60503

4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | $3,290

1109 Symphony Dr

1109 Symphony Dr,
Aurora, IL 60504

3 Beds | 1 Bath | $2,455

1255 Foxcroft Dr

1255 Foxcroft Dr,
Aurora, IL 60506

3 Beds | 1 Bath | $2,310

1139 Pin Oak Trail

1139 Pin Oak Trail,
Aurora, IL 60506

3 Beds | 1.5 Baths | $2,770

804 Fulton St

804 Fulton St,
Aurora, IL 60505

3 Beds | 1 Bath | $2,190

135 N Union St

135 N Union St,
Aurora, IL 60505

4 Beds | 2 Baths | $2,135

View More Houses for Rent in Aurora

Property Management Companies in Aurora, IL

BH

  • 339

    Communities

  • 92,666

    Units

  • 201

    Cities

5 Communities in Aurora
Willow Bridge

  • 695

    Communities

  • 187,663

    Units

  • 315

    Cities

4 Communities in Aurora
AMC

  • 645

    Communities

  • 126,670

    Units

  • 256

    Cities

4 Communities in Aurora
Greystar

  • 3,217

    Communities

  • 893,454

    Units

  • 827

    Cities

3 Communities in Aurora
Red Tail Residential

  • 62

    Communities

  • 7,678

    Units

  • 45

    Cities

3 Communities in Aurora
Atlantic Residential

  • 19

    Communities

  • 5,088

    Units

  • 15

    Cities

3 Communities in Aurora

Living in Aurora

Transportation

-

If you work in Chicago but the city isn't a good fit for your family, budget, or lifestyle, Aurora might be the perfect solution for you. That's because commuting takes as much effort as it would in the city itself; Aurora is the westernmost point -- and first morning stop -- on the BNSF Metra Line to Chicago's Union Station. The Aurora Metra Station on Broadway opens at 4:30 AM on weekdays, when early risers can board one of the morning's first two direct routes to the Windy City, but you'll have to wait until 8:30 AM to start catching trains with room for bikes. Even weekend routes start at 5:10 AM, and they all allow bikes, so you can enjoy full days in the city or another suburb during your down time.

For residents who need easy access to the surrounding counties and more rural parts of the state, Illinois 31 (Illinois Route 31) runs parallel to the Fox River and stretches all the way from Oswego to Wisconsin. You can use this road, which turns into Lake Street and River Street downtown, to get directly to Geneva, Elgin, Batavia, McHenry, or Algonquin. It also intersects with I-88, giving you two routes into the city that are both less than fifty miles. However, the Metra's hour-long morning routes are almost always a better bet.

Shopping

-

Downtown Aurora's cafes, antiques, and boutiques are still steeped in history and designed to encourage small business growth with an intimate sense of community. Culture Stock Bookstore is community group L.I.F.T. Aurora's passion project, and it's your best source for vinyl, used books, and even live poetry readings and open mic nights. Several small jewelry boutiques line Broadway, giving local artists a place to share their handmade wares.

On the East Side, thrifty shoppers travel hours from every direction to take advantage of Aurora's main shopping attraction, the Chicago Premium Outlets. This world-class savings mecca is full of unbelievable deals on clothes, shoes, and accessories from the most in-demand designers and department stores.

Fox Valley is the best neighborhood if you're in the mood for a full day of indoor, high-end shopping. As New York Street turns into Aurora Avenue just before Naperville, you'll reach the neighborhood's namesake: the former Fox Valley Mall (now Westfield Shoppingtown at Fox Valley). This gigantic shopping center has 157 stores, including all the usual mall staples and a few designer boutiques.

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2025.