Performance
Score Breakdown
Broomfield
Aurora
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Broomfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
72% lower compared to Aurora.
Housing costs are a major driver: Broomfield's average rent is
100% lower than Aurora's.
| Metric | Broomfield | Aurora | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,715 | -100% |
| Groceries | $400 | $355 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $355 | -49% |
| Transport | $120 | $88 | +36% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $700 | $2,513 | -72% |
| Cost Index | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aurora offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Broomfield | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $61,855 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $41,621 |
| Household Income | $123,874 | $93,837 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Broomfield | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 44.00% | 50.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Broomfield 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, Aurora leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Broomfield | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 10.0/10 | 43.0/10 |
| Walkability | 16.0/10 | 43.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aurora is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Broomfield.
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 | Broomfield | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,154 | 418,218 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.24% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 35.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 3.90% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Broomfield
Advantages
Broomfield consistently ranks high for safety, named the #1 safest midsize city in the U.S. by SmartAsset.
The city boasts a high livability score of 85/100, ranking in the 98th percentile nationally.
Broomfield has a strong and growing job market, with employment increasing by 1.43% from 2023 to 2024.
The average commute time of 25.5 minutes is efficient for a metro area of its size, aided by good regional access via US 36.
The city offers extensive open spaces and recreational opportunities, including over 8,000 acres of trails and parks.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Broomfield is approximately 20% higher than the national average, primarily due to housing costs.
Broomfield has a low Walk Score of 16 and a Transit Score of 10, indicating high car dependency.
While overall crime is low, the overall crime rate is higher than the average US city when considering all crime types.
The housing market is considered overvalued relative to local economic output, with a housing ratio of 10.4x.
Some residents express concerns about environmental factors like air quality from wildfire smoke and past issues related to Rocky Flats.
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.
Broomfield
#28Colorado, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
16.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.24%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
85
Business
68
Aurora
#92Colorado, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,715
Avg Salary
$61,855
Cost Index
103
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
43.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
65
Business
70
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