Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Tampa?

Aurora, CO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $53,000 in Tampa.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Tampa?

Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Tampa Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Colorado

$1,300/mo est.

Tampa

Florida

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tampa, FL. Overall, Aurora, CO is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tampa, FL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $85,364 in Aurora, CO and $71,302 in Tampa, FL — about 16% higher in Aurora, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Aurora, CO

Tampa, FL

Rent

Studio

—

$1,242

1 Bedroom

$1,138

$1,324

+16% in Tampa, FL

2 Bedroom

$2,284

$1,673

+27% in Aurora, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,320

$1,729

+25% in Aurora, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$689,000

$375,300

+46% in Aurora, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$85,364

$71,302

+16% in Aurora, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$48,940

+21% in Aurora, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.3 yr

35.6 yr

+0.3 yr in Tampa, FL

Homeownership

46.0%

50.2%

+4.2 pp in Tampa, FL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.4%

44.6%

+3.2 pp in Tampa, FL

Avg Commute

18.7 min

24.7 min

+6.0 min in Tampa, FL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

952.9

443.2

+53% in Aurora, CO

Property Crime

3,368.1

1,473.2

+56% 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

73.4°F

+23.2°F in Tampa, FL

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

46.3 in

+30.7 in in Tampa, FL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.25/gal

$3.77/gal

+11% in Aurora, CO

Area: Colorado vs Florida.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

$2.00

+27% in Aurora, CO

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

15.2

+6% in Aurora, CO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.92

$23.62

+98% in Tampa, FL

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 Tampa, FL

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 / FL)

2.9%

+3.1 pp in FL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

None

+4.4 pp in CO

Aurora vs Tampa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Tampa?: Aurora, CO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Tampa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $53,000 in Tampa.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Tampa?: Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax 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).