Salary Needed to Live in Aurora as a Retiree
A retired individual (65+) needs approximately $66,988/year to live comfortably in Aurora, CO, including 5% savings.
Direct Answer
A retiree needs about $66,988/year to live comfortably in Aurora, CO. The bare-minimum salary is $62,400/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 5% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $4,010.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,796/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,582/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$66,988
with 5% savings
Bare Minimum
$62,400
$5,200/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,796
4% above national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Retiree in Aurora
| Expense | Aurora | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Senior-Friendly Rent | $1,376 | $1,448 | -5% |
| Groceries | $272 | $189 | +44% |
| Utilities | $178 | $183 | -3% |
| Transportation | $213 | $211 | +1% |
| Car Insurance | $199 | $215 | -7% |
| Health Insurance | $696 | $642 | +8% |
| Medicare Supplement | $224 | $200 | +12% |
| Prescription Drugs | $168 | $150 | +12% |
| Internet + Phone | $134 | $120 | +12% |
| Recreation & Social | $224 | $200 | +12% |
| Home Maintenance | $112 | $100 | +12% |
| Total Monthly | $3,796 | $3,658 | +4% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,796
Target savings (5%):$214/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$4,010
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$66,988
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,376
1-2BR Senior-Friendly rent is 36% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus CO state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
5%
$214/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
112/100
Aurora is close to the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby west Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br senior-friendly housing near $1,376/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $862/mo for persona-specific costs such as Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drugs.
- Use $62,400/year as the survival floor and $66,988/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Aurora
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a retiree need in Aurora?
A retiree needs approximately $66,988/year ($5,582/month gross) to live comfortably in Aurora with a 5% savings rate.
How much is rent for a retiree in Aurora?
A 1-2br senior-friendly in Aurora costs approximately $1,376/month, which is the largest single expense at 36% of the total budget.
Is Aurora affordable for a retiree?
Aurora is roughly average for retiree costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.