Arlington vs Aurora
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Aurora
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 32.3%, with Aurora being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $56,707 in Aurora.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $56,707 in Aurora.
Conversely, $75,000 in Aurora equals $99,194 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Aurora
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Aurora's 174, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $410,000. The $330,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,456 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,750/mo in Aurora, a monthly difference of $600.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 102 in Aurora. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $485/month in Aurora. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 87 in Aurora. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $348 in Aurora. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 119 in Aurora. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $84,300 in Aurora. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $67,984 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,967/month in Aurora. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Aurora, median rent of $1,750/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 75 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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