City Comparison
Lakewood vs Aurora
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lakewood scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lakewood
Aurora
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aurora is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Lakewood.
| Metric | Lakewood | Aurora | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,795 | $1,715 | +5% |
| Groceries | $410 | $355 | +15% |
| Utilities | $180 | $355 | -49% |
| Transport | $115 | $88 | +31% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,730 | $2,513 | +9% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lakewood offers 16% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lakewood delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lakewood is estimated at
$60,000 vs $41,621 in Aurora.
| Metric | Lakewood | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $61,855 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $41,621 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,925 idx | 60,053 idx |
| Household Income | $89,792 | $93,837 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lakewood runs warmer on average — a 51.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lakewood comes out ahead with 277 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lakewood sees 29.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lakewood | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 18.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 29.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 277 | |
| Humidity | 52.00% | 50.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lakewood has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Aurora.
Lakewood scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lakewood leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lakewood | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 54.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aurora is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Lakewood.
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 | Lakewood | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,927 | 418,218 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.18% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lakewood
Advantages
Median household income stands at $89,792, reflecting a strong local economy that outperforms the national average per U.S. Census data.
Exceptional geographic proximity to the Rocky Mountain foothills and Red Rocks Amphitheatre provides unmatched outdoor recreation access.
The RTD W Line light rail system offers fast, direct commuter rail transit into downtown Denver.
Home to major economic anchors like the Denver Federal Center and St. Anthony Level I Trauma Center.
Abundant green spaces featuring over 80 public parks and extensive multi-use trail networks.
Drawbacks
Typical monthly apartment rents average around $1,800, placing financial pressure on lower-income renters.
Property crime rates remain a challenge, reflecting broader metropolitan trends across the Denver area.
Car dependency is high in outer residential neighborhoods despite light rail availability along central corridors.
Traffic congestion peaks heavily along major commuter arteries like U.S. 6 and Interstate 70 during rush hours.
Housing affordability has tightened significantly due to intense regional population growth and high real estate demand.
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.
Lakewood
#372Colorado, USA
59.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,795
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
106
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
54.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
277/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.18%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
80
Business
72
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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