Aurora vs Washington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Aurora
Washington
💡 The Verdict
Aurora is 25% cheaper than Washington overall. A $75,000 salary in Aurora is equivalent to $100,000 in Washington.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Aurora (left) vs Washington (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Aurora versus Washington. Differences shown from Aurora perspective.
| Item | Aurora | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,070/mo | $1,720/mo | $-650.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,500/mo | $2,300/mo | $-800.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $2,060/mo | $2,880/mo | $-820.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $3.13 | $3.09 | +$0.04 |
| Milk (gallon) | $4.45 | $4.50 | $-0.05 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.87 | $3.51 | +$0.36 |
| Coffee (latte) | $6.09 | $5.62 | +$0.47 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.58 | $3.53 | +$0.05 |
| Restaurant Meal | $20.05 | $22.46 | $-2.41 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Aurora has the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Washington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Washington equals $56,250 in Aurora.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $1575 difference is driven by District of Columbia having a higher state income tax rate. Colorado details → · District of Columbia details →
Reading These Numbers: Aurora (114) vs Washington (152)
Aurora at 114 is 14% above the US average, while Washington at 152 is 52% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
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 $2,300/mo in Washington, the annual rent difference is approximately $9,600.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $48,000.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $217,000.0 difference in median home prices between Aurora and Washington 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 Washington
Choosing between Aurora and Washington 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 Washington, 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.