Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Boise?

Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Aurora, CO's $1,300, mainly because of electricity costs.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Boise?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $45,000 in Boise.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Boise?

Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Boise under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Boise Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Colorado

$1,300/mo est.

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,300 in Aurora, CO versus $1,260 in Boise, ID. Overall, Boise, ID is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, CO, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $85,364 in Aurora, CO and $81,308 in Boise, ID — about 5% higher in Aurora, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Aurora, CO

Boise, ID

Rent

Studio

—

$1,021

1 Bedroom

$1,138

$1,133

+0% in Aurora, CO

2 Bedroom

$2,284

$1,342

+41% in Aurora, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,320

$1,749

+25% in Aurora, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$689,000

$456,000

+34% in Aurora, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$85,364

$81,308

+5% in Aurora, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$49,100

+21% in Aurora, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.3 yr

38.2 yr

+2.9 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

46.0%

63.0%

+17.0 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.4%

46.6%

+5.2 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

18.7 min

19.1 min

+0.4 min in Boise, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

952.9

301

+68% in Aurora, CO

Property Crime

3,368.1

1,135.1

+66% in Aurora, CO

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

50.2°F

52.5°F

+2.3°F in Boise, ID

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

11.7 in

+3.8 in in Aurora, CO

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.25/gal

$4.29/gal

+1% in Boise, ID

Area: Colorado vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

—

Adult base one-way fare — RTD vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

12.3

+24% in Aurora, CO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.92

$10.82

+9% in Aurora, CO

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

Average prices — West vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / ID)

2.9%

+3.1 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

5.30%

+0.9 pp in ID

Aurora vs Boise — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Boise?: Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Aurora, CO's $1,300, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Boise?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $45,000 in Boise.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Boise?: Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Boise under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).