City Comparison
Longmont vs Aurora
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Longmont scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Longmont
Aurora
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aurora is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Longmont.
| Metric | Longmont | Aurora | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $1,715 | +8% |
| Groceries | $400 | $355 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $355 | -49% |
| Transport | $110 | $88 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,780 | $2,513 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Longmont offers 16% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Longmont delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Longmont is estimated at
$62,000 vs $41,621 in Aurora.
| Metric | Longmont | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $61,855 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $41,621 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,571 idx | 60,053 idx |
| Household Income | $90,671 | $93,837 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Longmont runs warmer on average — a 50.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Longmont comes out ahead with 278 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Longmont sees 29.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Longmont | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 29.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 278 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 50.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Longmont has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Aurora.
Longmont scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Longmont leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Longmont | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aurora is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Longmont.
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 | Longmont | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,109 | 418,218 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 40.3 | 35.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Longmont
Advantages
Median home prices and rent values remain noticeably more affordable than in nearby Boulder per regional housing data.
Extensive citywide gigabit broadband infrastructure (NextLight) supports robust remote work and tech enterprise.
Proximity to the Rocky Mountains provides world-class outdoor recreation within a 50-minute drive.
High concentration of advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and healthcare jobs bolstering career opportunities.
Top-tier local education via the St. Vrain Valley School District with exceptional graduation rates.
Drawbacks
Housing costs run roughly 5% to 10% above the national average, placing pressure on lower-income households.
Rental vacancy rates remain tight, impacting immediate housing availability for newcomers.
Car dependency is relatively high for daily errands outside of the immediate downtown core.
Occasional heavy winter snowstorms and variable Front Range weather require proactive commuting precautions.
Modest traffic bottlenecks during peak commuting hours along primary corridors connecting to Boulder and Denver.
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.
Longmont
#217Colorado, USA
63.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
278/yr
Avg Temp
50.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
78
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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