Salary Needed to Live in Aurora as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $70,171/year to live comfortably in Aurora, CO, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $70,171/year to live comfortably in Aurora, CO. The bare-minimum salary is $60,559/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $4,158.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,684/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,848/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$70,171
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$60,559
$5,047/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,684
4% above national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Aurora
| Expense | Aurora | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $1,285 | $1,351 | -5% |
| Groceries | $299 | $207 | +44% |
| Utilities | $164 | $169 | -3% |
| Transportation | $319 | $316 | +1% |
| Car Insurance | $199 | $215 | -7% |
| Health Insurance | $696 | $642 | +8% |
| Internet | $73 | $65 | +12% |
| Phone | $95 | $85 | +12% |
| Dining & Social | $336 | $300 | +12% |
| Entertainment | $134 | $120 | +12% |
| Personal Care | $84 | $75 | +12% |
| Total Monthly | $3,684 | $3,545 | +4% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,684
Target savings (10%):$474/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$4,158
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$70,171
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,285
Studio/1BR rent is 35% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus CO state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$474/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 studio/1br housing near $1,285/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $722/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $60,559/year as the survival floor and $70,171/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Aurora
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Aurora?
A single person needs approximately $70,171/year ($5,848/month gross) to live comfortably in Aurora with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Aurora?
A studio/1br in Aurora costs approximately $1,285/month, which is the largest single expense at 35% of the total budget.
Is Aurora affordable for a single person?
Aurora is roughly average for single person costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.