Cost of Living in Aurora, CO
Aurora is about 31% more expensive than the national average.
What Things Cost
Compared to the US average (100)
Census ACS 2024
Census ACS 2024
BEA RPP 2023
BEA RPP 2023
Aurora at a Glance
On the median income of $93,837, state income tax is roughly $4,129/year.
Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.
Aurora is Colorado's third-largest city, stretching east of Denver with a population exceeding 400,000. The cost of living is about 5.5% above the national average, notably cheaper than Denver or Boulder. Aurora is one of the most diverse cities in Colorado, with large immigrant communities from Ethiopia, Korea, Mexico, and Vietnam that have created an extraordinary ethnic dining scene. Buckley Space Force Base and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (the largest academic health center in the Rocky Mountain region) are major employers.
How People Get Around
Source: Census ACS 2024.
Who Lives Here
Source: Census ACS 2024.
Why People Move to Aurora
The diversity is the underrated draw. Aurora's Ethiopian restaurants along East Colfax rival any city outside of Washington DC. Korean, Vietnamese, and Mexican food options are excellent. The Anschutz Medical Campus provides healthcare and research employment. Housing costs, while not cheap, are 15-20% below Denver's. The RTD light rail connects to downtown Denver. Cherry Creek State Park offers urban outdoor recreation. For people priced out of Denver who want to stay in the metro, Aurora offers the most diverse and affordable option.
Neighborhoods
The Southlands area in southeast Aurora has newer development and shopping. Saddle Rock and Tallyn's Reach are family-friendly suburban neighborhoods. The Anschutz Medical Campus area has seen growth. Original Aurora near Colfax Avenue has the most diversity and ethnic dining but also more urban challenges. Stapleton (now Central Park) borders Aurora and Denver. The northeast quadrant near DIA is developing rapidly.
Things to Consider
Aurora stretches over 160 square miles with highly variable neighborhoods. Some areas are excellent; others face significant crime and poverty challenges. The 2012 theater shooting remains part of the city's story. Colorado's 4.4% flat income tax applies. The eastern portions of Aurora are far from Denver's amenities with a suburban-to-exurban character. Traffic on I-225 and I-70 is congested. Air quality is affected by Denver metro pollution and wildfire smoke.
Compare Aurora To...
Frequently Asked Questions About Aurora
No, Aurora is an independent city with its own government, though it borders Denver and is part of the Denver metro area. It actually spans three counties (Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas). Many Aurora residents work in Denver and use RTD transit. The cities are integrated economically but Aurora has its own identity, particularly in its diversity.
One of the most diverse cities in Colorado. Over 40% of residents are non-white, and the immigrant communities from East Africa, Korea, Vietnam, and Latin America have created neighborhoods with distinct cultural character. The ethnic dining scene along East Colfax and Havana Street is a genuine highlight that Denver cannot match.
It varies significantly by neighborhood. Southern Aurora (Saddle Rock, Tallyn's Reach, Southlands) is safe and family-oriented. Original Aurora along Colfax has higher crime rates. The variation within the city is dramatic because Aurora covers such a large geographic area. Always research specific neighborhoods rather than relying on citywide statistics.