Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Denver?

Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,420 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $63,000 in Denver.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Denver?

Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Denver under Colorado's (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Denver Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Illinois

$1,420/mo est.

Denver

Colorado

$1,750/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,420 in Aurora, IL versus $1,750 in Denver, CO. Overall, Aurora, IL is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Denver, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,109 in Aurora, IL and $91,681 in Denver, CO — about 2% higher in Denver, CO. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax.

Aurora, IL

Denver, CO

Rent

Studio

$893

$1,497

+68% in Denver, CO

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$1,583

+34% in Denver, CO

2 Bedroom

$1,550

$1,958

+26% in Denver, CO

3 Bedroom

$1,797

$2,269

+26% in Denver, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$260,400

$586,700

+125% in Denver, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$90,109

$91,681

+2% in Denver, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$62,320

+14% in Denver, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

about equal

Homeownership

66.8%

49.1%

+17.7 pp in Aurora, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.2%

55.6%

+18.4 pp in Denver, CO

Avg Commute

28.0 min

25.4 min

+2.6 min in Aurora, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.4

999.3

+271% in Denver, CO

Property Crime

1,247.4

4,781.1

+283% in Denver, CO

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

49.9°F

50.2°F

+0.3°F in Denver, CO

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

15.6 in

+21.3 in in Aurora, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+9% in Denver, CO

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Denver.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.75

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

16.2

+32% in Aurora, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$11.92

+23% in Aurora, IL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Denver, CO

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Denver, CO

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Aurora, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Denver, CO

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Aurora, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Denver, CO

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / CO)

6.25%

2.9%

+3.4 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

4.40%

+0.5 pp in IL

Aurora vs Denver — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Denver?: Aurora, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,420 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Denver?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Aurora versus $63,000 in Denver.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Denver?: Aurora is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Denver under Colorado's (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% 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).