Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Provo?

Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Aurora, CO's $1,310, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Provo?

Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Colorado

$1,310/mo est.

Provo

Utah

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Provo, UT is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $85,364 in Aurora, CO and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 26% higher in Aurora, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Aurora, CO

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

—

$1,009

1 Bedroom

$1,138

$978

+14% in Aurora, CO

2 Bedroom

$2,284

$1,128

+51% in Aurora, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,320

$1,381

+40% in Aurora, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$689,000

$437,100

+37% in Aurora, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$85,364

$62,800

+26% in Aurora, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$48,010

+23% in Aurora, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.3 yr

23.7 yr

+11.6 yr in Aurora, CO

Homeownership

46.0%

39.9%

+6.1 pp in Aurora, CO

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.4%

45.0%

+3.6 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

18.7 min

18.5 min

+0.2 min in Aurora, CO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

952.9

205.7

+78% in Aurora, CO

Property Crime

3,368.1

1,280.6

+62% 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

53.4°F

+3.2°F in Provo, UT

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

19.8 in

+4.2 in in Provo, UT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.13/gal

$4.27/gal

+3% in Provo, UT

Area: Colorado vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.1

13.4

+22% in Aurora, CO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.05

$11.84

+21% in Aurora, CO

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / UT)

2.9%

6.1%

+3.2 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

4.50%

+0.1 pp in UT

Aurora vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Provo?: Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Aurora, CO's $1,310, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Provo?: 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 Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Provo?: Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).