City Comparison
Littleton vs Aurora
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Littleton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Littleton
Aurora
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aurora is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Littleton.
| Metric | Littleton | Aurora | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,715 | +2% |
| Groceries | $420 | $355 | +18% |
| Utilities | $170 | $355 | -52% |
| Transport | $110 | $88 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,680 | $2,513 | +7% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Littleton offers 20% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Littleton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Littleton is estimated at
$62,000 vs $41,621 in Aurora.
| Metric | Littleton | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $61,855 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $41,621 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,712 idx | 60,053 idx |
| Household Income | $88,500 | $93,837 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Littleton runs warmer on average — a 52.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Littleton comes out ahead with 282 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Littleton sees 23.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Littleton | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 17.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 282 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 50.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Littleton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Aurora.
Littleton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Littleton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Littleton | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aurora is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Littleton.
From a growth perspective, Aurora is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Littleton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Littleton | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,652 | 418,218 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 35.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Littleton
Advantages
Historic downtown Littleton offers a vibrant cultural hub with local dining, shopping, and community events per city data.
Exceptional access to outdoor recreation, including Chatfield State Park and miles of regional trails.
Strong public safety profile with violent crime rates significantly below the national average per FBI uniform crime reporting.
Convenient regional transit connectivity via the RTD Light Rail D Line directly into downtown Denver.
Top-rated public school options within Littleton Public Schools and Jefferson County school districts.
Drawbacks
Housing affordability has declined significantly due to rapid appreciation across the Denver metropolitan area per Zillow data.
Higher-than-average cost of living compared to the national baseline, particularly regarding housing and real estate taxes.
Traffic congestion along major commuter corridors such as Santa Fe Drive during peak hours.
Vulnerability to seasonal weather volatility, including heavy winter snowstorms and dry summer wildfire risks.
Limited inventory of affordable multi-family rental housing within the immediate historic district.
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.
Littleton
#362Colorado, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
282/yr
Avg Temp
52.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
83
Business
75
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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