Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Columbia?

Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Aurora, CO's $1,310, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $41,000 in Columbia.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Columbia?

Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Columbia under South Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Columbia Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Colorado

$1,310/mo est.

Columbia

South Carolina

$1,220/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 $1,220 in Columbia, SC. Overall, Columbia, SC is roughly 7% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $85,364 in Aurora, CO and $55,653 in Columbia, SC — about 35% higher in Aurora, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax.

Aurora, CO

Columbia, SC

Rent

Studio

—

$802

1 Bedroom

$1,138

$1,026

+10% in Aurora, CO

2 Bedroom

$2,284

$1,164

+49% in Aurora, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,320

$1,338

+42% in Aurora, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$689,000

$243,500

+65% in Aurora, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$85,364

$55,653

+35% in Aurora, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$46,430

+25% in Aurora, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.3 yr

28.7 yr

+6.6 yr in Aurora, CO

Homeownership

46.0%

47.3%

+1.3 pp in Columbia, SC

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.4%

46.1%

+4.7 pp in Columbia, SC

Avg Commute

18.7 min

17.4 min

+1.3 min in Aurora, CO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

952.9

769.9

+19% in Aurora, CO

Property Crime

3,368.1

3,265.1

+3% 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

64.9°F

+14.7°F in Columbia, SC

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

45.4 in

+29.8 in in Columbia, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.13/gal

$3.94/gal

+5% in Aurora, CO

Area: Colorado vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.1

15.6

+9% in Aurora, CO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.05

$29.07

+93% in Columbia, SC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Aurora, CO

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Aurora, CO

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Columbia, SC

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Aurora, CO

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Aurora, CO

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Aurora, CO

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / SC)

2.9%

+3.1 pp in SC

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

6.00%

+1.6 pp in SC

Aurora vs Columbia — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Columbia?: Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Aurora, CO's $1,310, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Columbia?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $41,000 in Columbia.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Columbia?: Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Columbia under South Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% 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).