| Index | Aurora | Colorado | National |
| Cost of living | 126 | 115 | 100 |
| Groceries | 107 | 104 | 100 |
| Health care | 108 | 107 | 100 |
| Housing | 166 | 136 | 100 |
| Transportation | 106 | 106 | 100 |
| Utilities | 112 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 112 | 107 | 100 |
| Household Items | 106 | 105 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 113 | 111 | 100 |

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Aurora? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Aurora stands at 126, making it 26% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in Aurora is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Aurora falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
When it comes to the cost of living in Aurora, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 66.2% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 23 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Aurora. The results indicated that 22% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 78% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
Is Aurora affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Aurora, for instance, where the median home price falls 73.9% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 48.2% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Aurora flaunting a median household income of $100,255, 23.3% higher than the national norm.
Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Aurora, the groceries index is 6.6% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Aurora, the transportation index is 6% higher than the national average.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Aurora, the housing index is 66.2% higher than the national average.
The Aurora cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $130,514 | $10,876 | $3,045 | $3,916 |
| Renters | $72,530 | $6,044 | $1,692 | $2,176 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Colorado | 2.9% | 10% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Colorado | 4.4% | 4.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Glendale CDP, CO | 80 | 109 | 9.1% |
| Lakeside, CO | 6 | 90 | 10.0% |
| Federal Heights, CO | 14,024 | 95 | 5.1% |
| North Washington, CO | 676 | 99 | 0.9% |
| Derby, CO | 9,365 | 111 | 10.6% |
| Aurora, CO | 393,102 | 126 | 25.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Cleveland, OH | 391,340 | 81 | 18.9% |
| Bakersfield, CA | 390,909 | 123 | 23.3% |
| Wichita, KS | 398,457 | 91 | 9.0% |
| Tampa, FL | 403,927 | 114 | 14.5% |
| Arlington, TX | 406,065 | 101 | 0.6% |
| Aurora, CO | 393,102 | 126 | 25.9% |