Performance
Score Breakdown
Aurora
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
5% higher compared to Aurora.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aurora's average rent is
21% higher than Dallas's.
| Metric | Aurora | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,715 | $1,412 | +21% |
| Groceries | $355 | $450 | -21% |
| Utilities | $355 | $281 | +26% |
| Transport | $88 | $126 | -30% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $135 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,513 | $2,404 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aurora offers 2% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dallas delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Aurora is estimated at
$41,621 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Aurora | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,855 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $41,621 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,053 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $93,837 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aurora | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 50.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dallas has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Aurora.
Dallas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dallas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Aurora | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 43.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 43.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 41.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Aurora.
From a growth perspective, Aurora is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aurora has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Aurora | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 418,218 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Aurora
Advantages
Aurora boasts a diverse and growing population, with a projected 418,218 residents in 2026.
The city is a major healthcare hub, home to the Anschutz Medical Campus and numerous hospitals, providing excellent medical access and employment.
Aurora offers abundant outdoor recreational opportunities with over 97 parks and 5,000 acres of open space and trails.
The average rent in Aurora is generally lower than in neighboring Denver, offering more affordable housing options.
The job market shows good growth, with a 1.71% employment increase in 2024, particularly in healthcare, retail, and construction sectors.
Drawbacks
Aurora has a significantly high crime rate, with an overall crime rate of 7,072 per 100,000 residents in 2024.
The city is largely car-dependent, with a low Walk Score of 43 and limited public transit options in many areas.
The cost of living in Aurora is slightly higher than the national average, with an index of 103.
Assisted living costs in Aurora are higher than both the state and national averages, at approximately $5,014 per month in 2024.
Healthcare costs are 19% higher than the national average, impacting overall affordability.
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Aurora
#68Colorado, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,715
Avg Salary
$61,855
Cost Index
103
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
43.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
65
Business
70
Dallas
#1Texas, USA
85.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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