Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Pittsburgh?

They're close. Aurora, CO runs about $1,300 a month and Pittsburgh, PA about $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Pittsburgh?

Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Pittsburgh under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Pittsburgh Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Colorado

$1,300/mo est.

Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

$1,300/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 $1,300 in Pittsburgh, PA. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $85,364 in Aurora, CO and $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA — about 25% higher in Aurora, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.

Aurora, CO

Pittsburgh, PA

Rent

Studio

—

$1,109

1 Bedroom

$1,138

$1,079

+5% in Aurora, CO

2 Bedroom

$2,284

$1,269

+44% in Aurora, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,320

$1,450

+38% in Aurora, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$689,000

$193,200

+72% in Aurora, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$85,364

$64,137

+25% in Aurora, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$49,650

+20% in Aurora, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.3 yr

33.5 yr

+1.8 yr in Aurora, CO

Homeownership

46.0%

47.2%

+1.2 pp in Pittsburgh, PA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.4%

47.8%

+6.4 pp in Pittsburgh, PA

Avg Commute

18.7 min

23.1 min

+4.4 min in Pittsburgh, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

952.9

436

+54% in Aurora, CO

Property Crime

3,368.1

2,315.7

+31% 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

51.8°F

+1.6°F in Pittsburgh, PA

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

39.3 in

+23.7 in in Pittsburgh, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.25/gal

$3.86/gal

+9% 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)

16.2

21.6

+33% in Pittsburgh, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.92

$19.17

+61% in Pittsburgh, PA

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

$1.92

+6% in Aurora, CO

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Aurora, CO

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Pittsburgh, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / PA)

2.9%

+3.1 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

3.07%

+1.3 pp in CO

Aurora vs Pittsburgh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Pittsburgh?: They're close. Aurora, CO runs about $1,300 a month and Pittsburgh, PA about $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Pittsburgh?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Pittsburgh?: Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Pittsburgh under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% 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).