Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Aurora, CO
VS
Bellingham, WA
🏆 Bellingham leads 12 of 23 categories
Aurora
Colorado
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$78,685 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
249⚠ High
Population
387,349 ✓ Larger
Bellingham
Washington
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,026
Violent Crime Index
92 ✓ Safer
Population
91,353
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Aurora, CO
Pros
Homes cost $119k less ($409,700 vs $528,600)
Households earn $14,659 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (947.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,651/mo
Property crime (3103.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.5% vs 4.8%)
Bellingham, WA
Pros
63% less violent crime than Aurora
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Rent averages $266/mo less ($1,385 vs $1,651)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (4.8%)
More college-educated — 46.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 90°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $528,600
Median income trails Aurora by $14,659/yr
Property crime (3756.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Aurora
Median Income
$14,659
$78,685 vs $64,026/yr
Aurora
Median Home Value
$119k less
$409,700 vs $528,600
Aurora
Summer Heat
15.3°F warmer
July avg high 90.4°F vs 75.1°F
Bellingham
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 104.1 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Bellingham
Violent Crime
63% lower
350.0 vs 947.8 per 100k
Bellingham
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
4.8% vs 5.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Bellingham, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High | 104.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $409,700⚠ High ✓ Lower | $528,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,651⚠ High | $1,385⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,685 ✓ Higher | $64,026 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 18.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.0% ✓ Higher | 12.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 209⚠ High | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 249⚠ High | 92 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 148⚠ High ✓ Safer | 179⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.8% | 46.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.9% | 94.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A | Bellingham School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.3°F | 47.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 90.4°F ✓ Warmer | 75.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.5" ✓ Drier | 38.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 49.0" | 3.4" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 387,349 ✓ Larger | 91,353 |
| Median Age | 35.1 ✓ Older | 33.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.5% ✓ Higher | 45.6% |
| Under 18 | 24.2% ✓ More | 13.5% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 16.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Aurora's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Bellingham's 104.1 (US average = 100).
Bellingham is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Bellingham leads 12 of 23 categories. Aurora wins 11 and Bellingham wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Aurora to Bellingham or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($409,700 vs $528,600 median home), income ($78,685 vs $64,026), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Aurora, CO and Bellingham, WA are about 1,074 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.