Is San Francisco, CA cheaper than Aurora, CO?

Based on cost of living data, San Francisco, CA is 79.1% more expensive than Aurora, CO. This translates to spending an extra $5932 per month.

What salary do I need in San Francisco, CA to live like I do in Aurora, CO?

If you earn $150,000 in Aurora, CO, you'd need approximately $221,181.818 in San Francisco, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Aurora, CO and San Francisco, CA?

Housing in San Francisco, CA is 200.8% more expensive than in Aurora, CO. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA compared to $2,140/month in Aurora, CO.

How much can I save per month by moving from Aurora, CO to San Francisco, CA?

Living in San Francisco, CA costs approximately $5932 more per month than Aurora, CO, or $71182 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Aurora, CO vs San Francisco, CA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Aurora, CO

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $5.9K/month more in San Francisco, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $221.2K in San Francisco, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO area

Overall Cost

↑ 79.1%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$5,932

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$71.2K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Aurora, CO

Population:395K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$431K

San Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:

179

(79% above avg)

Median Home:$1.25M

Aurora, CO

The Centennial State

395K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Colorado, this city has a population of 395K residents.

San Francisco, CA

The Golden State

874K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Global technology hub
•Historic cable cars
•Major startup ecosystem

Major Industries

TechnologyFinanceTourismBiotechnology

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Aurora, CO vs San Francisco, CA

Category	Aurora, CO	San Francisco, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$3,248/mo	$9,771/mo	↑ $6,523more	200.8%
Transportation	$1,462/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $697more	47.7%
Groceries	$1,029/mo	$1,159/mo	↑ $130more	12.6%
Other	$1,774/mo	$1,875/mo	↑ $100more	5.7%
Healthcare	$632/mo	$706/mo	↑ $74.35more	11.8%
All Utilities	$519/mo	$448/mo	↓ $71.03less	13.7%

Housing

↑ 200.8%

Aurora, CO

$3,248

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

Difference

$6,523

Transportation

↑ 47.7%

Aurora, CO

$1,462

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

Difference

$697

Groceries

↑ 12.6%

Aurora, CO

$1,029

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

Difference

$130

Other

↑ 5.7%

Aurora, CO

$1,774

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

Difference

$100

Healthcare

↑ 11.8%

Aurora, CO

$632

San Francisco, CA

$706

Difference

$74.35

All Utilities

↓ 13.7%

Aurora, CO

$519

San Francisco, CA

$448

Difference

$71.03

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Aurora, CO: Aurora Head Tax ($2/mo, negligible)$24.00/yr (0.0%)

San Francisco, CA has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,685

To$2,460

↑ $775

1 Bed

From$1,795

To$2,950

↑ $1,155

2 Bed

From$2,140

To$3,570

↑ $1,430

3 Bed

From$2,805

To$4,560

↑ $1,755

Aurora, COZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,620–$2,270/mo

San Francisco, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,510–$3,910/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$8,665

Monthly in Aurora, CO

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$7,453

Difference

Home Values

Aurora

San Francisco

$431K

Median Value

$1.25M

↓ -4.2%

YoY Change

↑ +3.7%

↑ +18.4%

5-Year Change

↓ -7.5%

$353K - $728K

Price Range

$693K - $2.12M

Homes in San Francisco are 189% more expensive than Aurora

Calculate payment - Aurora Calculate payment - San Francisco

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $4.0K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$336

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.7%

Rate difference

Aurora, CO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Colorado State Tax

Effective: 4.4%

$6.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.1%

$43.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,866/month

$106.4K

San Francisco, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Aurora, CO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.8%

Property Tax:0.5%

San Francisco, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.