What salary do you need to live in Aurora, CO?
For a single person: about $77,500/year before taxes to live comfortably. That's the gross income whose CO-taxed take-home covers roughly $1,830 rent plus everyday essentials, with a 20% cushion for savings. Figures include 2025 federal tax, FICA, and an effective 4.4% Colorado income tax.
Single person — est. essentials $4,123/mo
Tight
take-home covers $4,123/mo
$62,500/yr
Comfortable
take-home covers $4,948/mo
$77,500/yr
Thriving
take-home covers $6,185/mo
$100,000/yr
2-person household — est. essentials $5,550/mo
Tight
take-home covers $5,550/mo
$82,500/yr
Comfortable
take-home covers $6,660/mo
$100,000/yr
Thriving
take-home covers $8,325/mo
$126,000/yr
3-person household — est. essentials $6,702/mo
Tight
take-home covers $6,702/mo
$100,500/yr
Comfortable
take-home covers $8,042/mo
$121,500/yr
Thriving
take-home covers $10,053/mo
$157,500/yr
4-person household — est. essentials $7,710/mo
Tight
take-home covers $7,710/mo
$116,500/yr
Comfortable
take-home covers $9,252/mo
$143,000/yr
Thriving
take-home covers $11,565/mo
$185,000/yr
How we calculate this
Essentials = typical rent ($1,830) + a national non-housing baseline by household size ($2,450 for one person) + Colorado's combined sales tax on the taxable share of that spending. We then solve for the gross salary whose after-tax take-home hits each tier. Local income taxes and property taxes aren't modeled — see the methodology.
Planning a move here?
Get notified when Aurora gets more affordable, plus relocation tips.
Unsubscribe anytime