City Comparison
Fort Collins vs Aurora
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Collins scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Collins
Aurora
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aurora is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
34% lower than in Fort Collins.
| Metric | Fort Collins | Aurora | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,632 | $1,715 | -5% |
| Groceries | $402 | $355 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $355 | -49% |
| Transport | $120 | $88 | +36% |
| Healthcare | $1,460 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,794 | $2,513 | +51% |
| Cost Index | 100 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aurora offers 4% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Aurora delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fort Collins is estimated at
$65,280 vs $41,621 in Aurora.
| Metric | Fort Collins | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $59,672 | $61,855 |
| Salary Needed | $65,280 | $41,621 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,672 idx | 60,053 idx |
| Household Income | $85,070 | $93,837 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fort Collins runs warmer on average — a 51.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fort Collins comes out ahead with 291 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fort Collins sees 19.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fort Collins | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 17.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 291 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 50.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fort Collins has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Aurora.
Aurora scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aurora leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fort Collins | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 37.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Walkability | 37.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aurora is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Fort Collins.
From a growth perspective, Aurora is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fort Collins has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fort Collins | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,693 | 418,218 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.11% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 35.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fort Collins
Advantages
Fort Collins has a lower violent crime rate than the national average.
The city's total crime rate decreased by 18.8% from 2008 to 2022.
Fort Collins has a high percentage of residents with a Bachelor's degree or higher (60.7%).
The average commute time is relatively low at 19.5 minutes.
Fort Collins is very bikeable and has several highly walkable neighborhoods.
Drawbacks
The median sales price for single-family homes increased by 1.7% in December 2024.
The cost of purchasing a home in Fort Collins has nearly doubled in the past 8 years.
Fair Market Rent prices in Fort Collins are very high compared to the national average.
The average cost of assisted living in Fort Collins is higher than both the state and national averages.
The Fort Collins, CO area's rent-to-income ratio is higher than the average for mid-sized metros, indicating less affordability.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Fort Collins
#421Colorado, USA
57.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,632
Avg Salary
$59,672
Cost Index
100
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
37.0/100
Walkability
37.0/100
Sunny Days
291/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.11%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
74
Business
68
Aurora
#428Colorado, USA
56.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,715
Avg Salary
$61,855
Cost Index
103
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
43.0/100
Walkability
43.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
65
Business
70
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