City Comparison
Parker vs Aurora
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Parker scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Parker
Aurora
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aurora is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Parker.
Housing costs are a major driver: Parker's average rent is
20% higher than Aurora's.
| Metric | Parker | Aurora | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,050 | $1,715 | +20% |
| Groceries | $420 | $355 | +18% |
| Utilities | $180 | $355 | -49% |
| Transport | $130 | $88 | +48% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,020 | $2,513 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Parker offers 42% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Parker delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Parker is estimated at
$75,000 vs $41,621 in Aurora.
| Metric | Parker | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $88,000 | $61,855 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $41,621 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,131 idx | 60,053 idx |
| Household Income | $133,369 | $93,837 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Parker runs warmer on average — a 51.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Parker comes out ahead with 280 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Parker sees 28.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Parker | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 18.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 280 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 50.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Parker has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Aurora.
Aurora scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Parker leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Parker | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aurora is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Parker.
From a growth perspective, Parker is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Parker has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Parker | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 65,473 | 418,218 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.45% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Parker
Advantages
Median household income stands at an affluent $133,369 per year, significantly outperforming the national average.
Consistently maintains low crime rates, ranking as one of the safest communities of its size in Colorado.
Features over 1,000 acres of developed park land and extensive connectivity to the Cherry Creek regional trail network.
More than 56% of adult residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, fostering a highly educated community.
Home to AdventHealth Parker, providing high-quality acute healthcare and specialized services locally.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and housing expenses run substantially higher than the U.S. national average.
High degree of car dependency with limited public mass transit options for daily work commuters.
Competitive real estate market places homeownership out of reach for many median-income earners.
Commuting to downtown Denver or the Tech Center during peak hours can result in significant highway congestion.
Limited dense urban nightlife or late-night entertainment options within town limits.
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.
Parker
#124Colorado, USA
66.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,050
Avg Salary
$88,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
280/yr
Avg Temp
51.80°F
Pop. Growth
2.45%
Unemployment
3.00%
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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