Aurora, CO vs Fort Collins, CO

Aurora, CO and Fort Collins, CO have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2% difference in their overall index. Aurora scores 127 while Fort Collins scores 129 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Aurora is $1,759/month compared to $1,661/month in Fort Collins — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fort Collins has cheaper rent, Aurora actually has lower median home values ($444,500 vs $548,400).

Median household income in Aurora is $84,320 compared to $83,598 in Fort Collins (+0.9%). Aurora offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Aurora spend roughly 25% of their income on rent, more than the 23.8% in Fort Collins.