Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Indianapolis?

Indianapolis, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,140 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Aurora, CO's $1,300, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $39,000 in Indianapolis.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Indianapolis?

Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Indianapolis under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Indianapolis Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Colorado

$1,300/mo est.

Indianapolis

Indiana

$1,140/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 $1,140 in Indianapolis, IN. Overall, Indianapolis, IN is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $85,364 in Aurora, CO and $62,995 in Indianapolis, IN — about 26% higher in Aurora, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.

Aurora, CO

Indianapolis, IN

Rent

Studio

—

$933

1 Bedroom

$1,138

$963

+15% in Aurora, CO

2 Bedroom

$2,284

$1,132

+50% in Aurora, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,320

$1,304

+44% in Aurora, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$689,000

$207,000

+70% in Aurora, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$85,364

$62,995

+26% in Aurora, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$49,340

+21% in Aurora, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.3 yr

34.1 yr

+1.2 yr in Aurora, CO

Homeownership

46.0%

55.3%

+9.3 pp in Indianapolis, IN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.4%

34.2%

+7.2 pp in Aurora, CO

Avg Commute

18.7 min

24.3 min

+5.6 min in Indianapolis, IN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

952.4

936.6

+2% in Aurora, CO

Property Crime

3,366.6

3,351.7

+0% 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

53.2°F

+3.0°F in Indianapolis, IN

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

42.4 in

+26.9 in in Indianapolis, IN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.54/gal

$4.35/gal

+4% in Aurora, CO

Area: Colorado vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

$1.75

+36% in Aurora, CO

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.7

17.9

+7% in Indianapolis, IN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.64

$12.49

+7% in Indianapolis, IN

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.37

$4.14

+5% in Aurora, CO

Bread (lb)

$2.10

$1.79

+15% in Aurora, CO

Eggs (doz)

$2.25

$3.63

+61% in Indianapolis, IN

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.23

$6.97

+4% in Aurora, CO

Chicken (lb)

$2.14

$2.15

+1% in Indianapolis, IN

Bananas (lb)

$0.74

$0.63

+15% in Aurora, CO

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / IN)

2.9%

+4.1 pp in IN

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

2.95%

+1.5 pp in CO

Aurora vs Indianapolis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Indianapolis?: Indianapolis, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,140 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Aurora, CO's $1,300, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Indianapolis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $39,000 in Indianapolis.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Indianapolis?: Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Indianapolis under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% 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).