salaryAurora is the 3rd-largest city in Colorado that we track, with 394,432 residents. Rent is higher than in 73% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.9 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $83,480 a year. That is $40 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Colorado cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Colorado. It is number 58 of 112 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Aurora with other big cities
Compare Aurora to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Aurora?
Share of households by yearly income. 32.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Aurora
| Size | Aurora | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,667 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,560 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,000 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,460 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,858 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Aurora overall?
Everyday prices in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial metro area are 6% above the U.S. average (index 105.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Aurora
Life in Aurora
What jobs pay in Aurora
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $177,380 | 14.1% |
| Pharmacist | $157,890 | 15.9% |
| Operations Manager | $142,330 | 17.6% |
| Software Developer | $137,610 | 18.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $134,540 | 18.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,040 | 18.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $127,880 | 19.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $113,760 | 22.0% |
| Civil Engineer | $104,710 | 23.9% |
| Police Officer | $101,970 | 24.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $101,130 | 24.8% |
| Accountant | $100,020 | 25.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $99,040 | 25.3% |
| Firefighter | $87,980 | 28.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $76,910 | 32.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $75,810 | 33.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $71,580 | 35.0% |
| Carpenter | $64,910 | 38.6% |
| Plumber | $63,900 | 39.2% |
| Truck Driver | $63,900 | 39.2% |
| Electrician | $63,150 | 39.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $49,700 | 50.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $49,110 | 51.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,590 | 51.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $46,290 | 54.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $44,370 | 56.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $39,650 | 63.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $38,470 | 65.1% |
| Cashier | $37,620 | 66.6% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Aurora?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,168 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $469,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $46,910 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Aurora, CO?
Renting in Aurora costs a median of about $2,087 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Colorado median is $2,080.
How much do I need to make to live in Aurora?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $83,480 a year, or $40 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Aurora cheap or expensive?
Aurora is rated OK: rent takes 26.3% of the typical household income of $95,305. It ranks 58th cheapest of 112 Colorado cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Aurora?
The median homeowner in Aurora pays $2,457 a year in property taxes, about 0.52% of the median home value.
Is Aurora more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 6% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Aurora?
The median home value in Aurora is $469,100, about 4.9 times the typical yearly household income.
394,432 people live in Aurora. Numbers are typical (middle) values.