City Comparison
Pueblo vs Aurora
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Aurora scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pueblo
Aurora
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pueblo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Aurora.
Housing costs are a major driver: Pueblo's average rent is
22% lower than Aurora's.
| Metric | Pueblo | Aurora | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,339 | $1,715 | -22% |
| Groceries | $400 | $355 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $355 | -49% |
| Transport | $120 | $88 | +36% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,259 | $2,513 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aurora offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Pueblo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Pueblo is estimated at
$52,000 vs $41,621 in Aurora.
| Metric | Pueblo | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $61,855 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $41,621 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 60,053 idx |
| Household Income | $56,664 | $93,837 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Pueblo runs warmer on average — a 56.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Pueblo comes out ahead with 313 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Pueblo sees 16.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Pueblo | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 10.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 313 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 50.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Aurora scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Pueblo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Pueblo | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aurora is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Pueblo.
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 | Pueblo | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,404 | 418,218 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.3 |
| Unemployment | 6.60% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Pueblo
Advantages
Overall cost of living runs approximately 8% below the national average, making it Colorado's most affordable urban center.
Enjoyable climate featuring roughly 313 sunny days per year and mild winter variations.
Abundant outdoor recreation centered around Lake Pueblo State Park for boating, fishing, and hiking.
Rich cultural identity highlighted by local traditions, historic architecture, and the famous annual Chile & Frijoles Festival.
Significantly more accessible housing market with median home values well below state and national norms.
Drawbacks
Property crime rates and overall crime indices remain higher than the national median.
Local average wages and median household incomes trail significantly behind state and national benchmarks.
Economic mobility and job diversification are more limited compared to northern Colorado tech centers.
Summer high temperatures frequently exceed 90°F, requiring robust air conditioning and heat management.
Public transportation options are relatively limited, necessitating regular reliance on personal vehicle ownership.
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.
Pueblo
#559Colorado, USA
47.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,339
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
313/yr
Avg Temp
56.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.60%
Livability
72
Business
65
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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