City Comparison

Aurora vs Tokyo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Aurora

Colorado
124
Expensive
$410,000
Median Home
$1,750/mo
Median Rent
$84,300
Median Income

Tokyo

Japan
82
Very Affordable
$450,000
Median Home
$1,225/mo
Median Rent
$42,000
Median Income

The Verdict

51.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 51.2%, with Tokyo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Aurora has equivalent purchasing power to $49,597 in Tokyo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
174
Aurora
98
Tokyo
Groceries
102
Aurora
88
Tokyo
Utilities
87
Aurora
85
Tokyo
Transportation
104
Aurora
78
Tokyo
Healthcare
119
Aurora
62
Tokyo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Aurora has the same purchasing power as $49,597 in Tokyo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tokyo equals $113,415 in Aurora.

Living in Aurora vs Tokyo

Housing Costs

Aurora's housing index of 174 is higher Tokyo's 98, translating to median home prices of $410,000 vs $450,000. The $40,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,604 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Aurora compared to $1,225/mo in Tokyo, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Aurora and 88 in Tokyo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Aurora vs $418/month in Tokyo. Tokyo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $804/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 87 in Aurora and 85 in Tokyo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Aurora vs $340 in Tokyo. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 119 in Aurora and 62 in Tokyo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 57-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 $42,000 in Tokyo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,984 and $51,220 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 $980/month in Tokyo. In Aurora, median rent of $1,750/mo fits within this budget. In Tokyo, median rent of $1,225/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 76 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tokyo is 51.2% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 124.
A $75,000 salary in Aurora has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $49,597 in Tokyo, based on the cost of living difference.
Aurora's housing index is 174 with median homes at $410,000, while Tokyo's is 98 with median homes at $450,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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