Aurora vs Fort Collins
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Aurora
Fort Collins
The Verdict
Fort Collins is 6.9% less expensive than Aurora overall. A household earning $75,000 in Aurora would need approximately $70,161 in Fort Collins to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $70,161 in Fort Collins.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Collins equals $80,172 in Aurora.
Living in Aurora vs Fort Collins
Housing Costs
Aurora's housing index of 174 is higher Fort Collins's 142, translating to median home prices of $410,000 vs $531,000. The $121,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,860 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Aurora compared to $1,625/mo in Fort Collins, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Aurora and 100 in Fort Collins. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Aurora vs $475/month in Fort Collins. 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 87 in Fort Collins. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Aurora vs $348 in Fort Collins. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 119 in Aurora and 97 in Fort Collins. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-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 $74,800 in Fort Collins. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,984 and $64,483 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 $1,745/month in Fort Collins. In Aurora, median rent of $1,750/mo fits within this budget. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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