Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Cleveland?

Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Aurora, CO's $1,300, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $29,000 in Cleveland.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Cleveland?

Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Cleveland under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Cleveland Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Colorado

$1,300/mo est.

Cleveland

Ohio

$940/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 $940 in Cleveland, OH. Overall, Cleveland, OH is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $85,364 in Aurora, CO and $39,187 in Cleveland, OH — about 54% higher in Aurora, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.

Aurora, CO

Cleveland, OH

Rent

Studio

—

$678

1 Bedroom

$1,138

$732

+36% in Aurora, CO

2 Bedroom

$2,284

$903

+60% in Aurora, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,320

$1,081

+53% in Aurora, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$689,000

$94,100

+86% in Aurora, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$85,364

$39,187

+54% in Aurora, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$50,140

+20% in Aurora, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.3 yr

36.3 yr

+1.0 yr in Cleveland, OH

Homeownership

46.0%

41.2%

+4.8 pp in Aurora, CO

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.4%

21.3%

+20.1 pp in Aurora, CO

Avg Commute

18.7 min

22.9 min

+4.2 min in Cleveland, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

952.9

1,582

+66% in Cleveland, OH

Property Crime

3,368.1

4,531.3

+35% in Cleveland, OH

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

52.7°F

+2.5°F in Cleveland, OH

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

36.4 in

+20.8 in in Cleveland, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.25/gal

$4.18/gal

+2% in Aurora, CO

Area: Colorado vs Ohio.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

19.5

+21% in Cleveland, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.92

$22.83

+92% in Cleveland, OH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Aurora, CO

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Aurora, CO

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Cleveland, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Aurora, CO

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Cleveland, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Aurora, CO

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / OH)

2.9%

5.75%

+2.9 pp in OH

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

2.75%

+1.7 pp in CO

Aurora vs Cleveland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Cleveland?: Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Aurora, CO's $1,300, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Cleveland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $29,000 in Cleveland.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Cleveland?: Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Cleveland under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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).