Aurora vs Colorado Springs
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Aurora
Colorado Springs
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 18.1%, with Colorado Springs being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Aurora has equivalent purchasing power to $63,508 in Colorado Springs.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Aurora has the same purchasing power as $63,508 in Colorado Springs.
Conversely, $75,000 in Colorado Springs equals $88,571 in Aurora.
Living in Aurora vs Colorado Springs
Housing Costs
Aurora's housing index of 174 is higher Colorado Springs's 115, translating to median home prices of $410,000 vs $380,000. The $30,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,956 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Aurora compared to $1,500/mo in Colorado Springs, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Aurora and 100 in Colorado Springs. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Aurora vs $475/month in Colorado Springs. 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 87 in Aurora and 93 in Colorado Springs. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Aurora vs $372 in Colorado Springs. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 119 in Aurora and 104 in Colorado Springs. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $84,300 in Aurora and $64,712 in Colorado Springs. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,984 and $61,630 respectively. Aurora residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,967/month to housing in Aurora vs $1,510/month in Colorado Springs. In Aurora, median rent of $1,750/mo fits within this budget. In Colorado Springs, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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