City Comparison
Denver vs Aurora
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Denver scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Denver
Aurora
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aurora is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Denver.
Housing costs are a major driver: Denver's average rent is
15% higher than Aurora's.
| Metric | Denver | Aurora | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,975 | $1,715 | +15% |
| Groceries | $400 | $355 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $355 | -49% |
| Transport | $90 | $88 | +2% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,865 | $2,513 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Denver offers 31% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Denver delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Denver is estimated at
$65,000 vs $41,621 in Aurora.
| Metric | Denver | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $81,000 | $61,855 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $41,621 |
| Purchasing Power | 76,415 idx | 60,053 idx |
| Household Income | $94,718 | $93,837 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Denver runs warmer on average — a 53.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Denver comes out ahead with 285 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Denver sees 22.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Denver | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 16.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 285 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 50.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Denver scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Denver leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Denver | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Denver is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Aurora.
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 | Denver | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 740,613 | 418,218 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Denver
Advantages
Median household income stands at $94,718, significantly outpacing the national average per U.S. Census data.
Enjoyment of approximately 285 sunny days per year, supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Proximity to world-class Rocky Mountain recreation, including premier skiing, hiking, and biking destinations.
Thriving job market with strong sectors in aerospace, technology, and healthcare offering competitive wages.
Vibrant cultural and entertainment ecosystem highlighted by the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre and a thriving craft beverage scene.
Drawbacks
Cost of living runs roughly 6% higher than the national average, led by steep housing and rental expenses.
Median home values of $616,000 present substantial barriers to entry for first-time homebuyers.
Frequent traffic congestion along major commuter corridors like I-25 and I-70 during peak hours.
Air quality can occasionally be impacted by regional wildfire smoke and temperature inversions in the mountain basin.
Property crime rates in certain dense urban neighborhoods require standard metropolitan vigilance.
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.
Denver
#356Colorado, USA
59.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,975
Avg Salary
$81,000
Cost Index
106
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
285/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
82
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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