Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Davenport?

Davenport, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Aurora, CO's $1,310, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Davenport.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Davenport?

Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Davenport under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Davenport Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Colorado

$1,310/mo est.

Davenport

Iowa

$960/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 $960 in Davenport, IA. Overall, Davenport, IA is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $85,364 in Aurora, CO and $64,497 in Davenport, IA — about 24% higher in Aurora, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Aurora, CO

Davenport, IA

Rent

Studio

—

$726

1 Bedroom

$1,138

$777

+32% in Aurora, CO

2 Bedroom

$2,284

$962

+58% in Aurora, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,320

$1,117

+52% in Aurora, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$689,000

$162,900

+76% in Aurora, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$85,364

$64,497

+24% in Aurora, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$48,550

+22% in Aurora, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.3 yr

37.8 yr

+2.5 yr in Davenport, IA

Homeownership

46.0%

63.0%

+17.0 pp in Davenport, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.4%

30.0%

+11.4 pp in Aurora, CO

Avg Commute

18.7 min

about equal

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

952.9

581.4

+39% in Aurora, CO

Property Crime

3,368.1

3,559.6

+6% in Davenport, IA

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

49.3°F

+0.9°F in Aurora, CO

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

36.0 in

+20.5 in in Davenport, IA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.13/gal

$3.85/gal

+7% in Aurora, CO

Area: Colorado vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.1

15.9

+7% in Aurora, CO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.05

$22.16

+47% in Davenport, IA

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 Davenport, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Aurora, CO

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Davenport, IA

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 / IA)

2.9%

+3.1 pp in IA

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

3.80%

+0.6 pp in CO

Aurora vs Davenport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Davenport?: Davenport, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Aurora, CO's $1,310, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Davenport?: 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 Davenport.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Davenport?: Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Davenport under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% 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).