Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Casper?

Casper, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Aurora, CO's $1,310, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $31,000 in Casper.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Casper?

Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Casper under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Casper Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Colorado

$1,310/mo est.

Casper

Wyoming

$930/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,310 in Aurora, CO versus $930 in Casper, WY. Overall, Casper, WY is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $85,364 in Aurora, CO and $69,171 in Casper, WY — about 19% higher in Aurora, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.

Aurora, CO

Casper, WY

Rent

Studio

—

$730

1 Bedroom

$1,138

$764

+33% in Aurora, CO

2 Bedroom

$2,284

$930

+59% in Aurora, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,320

$1,299

+44% in Aurora, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$689,000

$250,700

+64% in Aurora, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$85,364

$69,171

+19% in Aurora, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$48,880

+22% in Aurora, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.3 yr

37.0 yr

+1.7 yr in Casper, WY

Homeownership

46.0%

70.3%

+24.3 pp in Casper, WY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.4%

30.0%

+11.4 pp in Aurora, CO

Avg Commute

18.7 min

16.9 min

+1.8 min in Aurora, CO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

952.9

302.4

+68% in Aurora, CO

Property Crime

3,368.1

2,123.8

+37% 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

45.4°F

+4.8°F in Aurora, CO

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

12.5 in

+3.1 in in Aurora, CO

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.13/gal

$4.27/gal

+3% in Casper, WY

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)

17.1

15.2

+11% in Aurora, CO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.05

$18.28

+21% in Casper, WY

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 / WY)

2.9%

+1.1 pp in WY

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

None

+4.4 pp in CO

Aurora vs Casper — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Casper?: Casper, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Aurora, CO's $1,310, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Casper?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $31,000 in Casper.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Casper?: Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Casper under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% 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).