What are the schools like in Aurora, MN?

Aurora is served primarily by MESABI EAST SCHOOL DISTRICT. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.6:1.

What is the median household income in Aurora?

The median household income in Aurora, MN is $39,500 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 6.9%.

What is the weather like in Aurora, MN?

Aurora has an average high temperature of 16.8°F in January and 77.7°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 28.1 inches and annual snowfall averages 68.7 inches.

Aurora, MN Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Aurora, MN affordable or expensive?

Aurora's cost of living index is 87, where 100 represents the national average. This means Aurora is 13% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $81,500 and the median rent is $475 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Aurora, MN?

Aurora has a violent crime rate of 188.9 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1946.6 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Aurora, MN a Good Place to Live?

Aurora is a small town of 1,775 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $39,500 and a 6.9% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 87 (US average = 100), which is 13% below the national average.

Strengths: Aurora stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Aurora is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Aurora city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 87.0

Aurora's overall cost of living index is 87.0, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Aurora costs roughly 13% less than the average American city.

Metric	Aurora, MN	National Avg
Median Home Value	$81,500	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$475	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	76.8%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$39,500	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Safer than Average

Aurora's violent crime rate is 188.9 per 100,000 residents — 50% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

188.9 /100k

Property Crime

1946.6 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Aurora is served primarily by MESABI EAST SCHOOL DISTRICT. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.6:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Aurora, MN	National Avg
School District	MESABI EAST SCHOOL DISTRICT	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	15.6:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	20.2%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	88.7%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Aurora sees average highs of 16.8°F in January and 77.7°F in July, with 28.1 inches of annual precipitation and 68.7 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Aurora, MN
Average High — January	16.8°F
Average High — July	77.7°F
Annual Precipitation	28.1"
Annual Snowfall	68.7"

Demographics

Metric	Aurora, MN	National Avg
Population	1,775	—
Median Age	54.0	38.9
Unemployment Rate	6.9%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	25.3 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	99.0%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.0%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	19.6%	22.2%
65 and over	31.9%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Biwabik, MN 5 mi Hoyt Lakes, MN 7 mi McKinley, MN 8 mi Gilbert, MN 11 mi Virginia, MN 13 mi

Aurora vs Other Cities

Aurora, MN vs Biwabik, MN Aurora, MN vs Hoyt Lakes, MN Aurora, MN vs McKinley, MN Aurora, MN vs Gilbert, MN Aurora, MN vs Virginia, MN

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aurora, MN affordable or expensive?

Aurora's cost of living index is 87, where 100 is the national average. That makes Aurora roughly 13% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $81,500 and median rent is $475/month.

What is the crime rate in Aurora, MN?

Aurora's violent crime rate is 188.9 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1946.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Aurora?

Public schools in Aurora are operated by MESABI EAST SCHOOL DISTRICT. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.6:1. 20.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Aurora, MN a good place to live?

Aurora, MN has a population of 1,775, a median household income of $39,500, and an unemployment rate of 6.9%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Aurora?

Aurora averages 16.8°F in January and 77.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 28.1 inches with about 68.7 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Aurora?

The population of Aurora, Minnesota is 1,775 with a median age of 54.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Aurora?

Key numbers for living in Aurora: cost of living index 87 (100 = US average), median home $81,500, median household income $39,500, crime index 67 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Aurora side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.