Aurora vs Portland
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Aurora
Portland
💡 The Verdict
Aurora is 3% cheaper than Portland overall. A $75,000 salary in Aurora is equivalent to $76,974 in Portland.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Aurora (left) vs Portland (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Aurora versus Portland. Differences shown from Aurora perspective.
| Item | Aurora | Portland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,070/mo | $1,220/mo | $-150.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,500/mo | $1,700/mo | $-200.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $2,060/mo | $2,190/mo | $-130.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $3.13 | $3.16 | $-0.03 |
| Milk (gallon) | $4.45 | $3.61 | +$0.84 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.87 | $3.73 | +$0.14 |
| Coffee (latte) | $6.09 | $6.25 | $-0.16 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.58 | $3.20 | +$0.38 |
| Restaurant Meal | $20.05 | $18.36 | +$1.69 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Aurora has the same purchasing power as $76,974 in Portland.
Conversely, $75,000 in Portland equals $73,077 in Aurora.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $825 difference is driven by Maine having a higher state income tax rate. Colorado details → · Maine details →
Reading These Numbers: Aurora (114) vs Portland (117)
Aurora at 114 is 14% above the US average, while Portland at 117 is 17% above average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Aurora, the composite index of 114 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 115, followed by groceries (114), utilities (117), transportation (114), and healthcare (125). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,500/mo in Aurora and $1,700/mo in Portland, the annual rent difference is approximately $2,400.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $12,000.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $32,000.0 difference in median home prices between Aurora and Portland translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Aurora vs Portland
Choosing between Aurora and Portland involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
When weighing Aurora against Portland, think beyond the composite index. Your personal savings rate, retirement timeline, and family size all influence which cost categories dominate your budget. Someone spending sixty percent of income on housing and childcare will experience these two cities very differently than a single renter whose largest variable expense is dining out. Model your own spending breakdown against the category indices above for the most realistic comparison.