Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Aurora, CO
VS
Detroit, MI
🏆 Aurora leads 14 of 23 categories
Aurora
Colorado
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$78,685 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
249⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
387,349
Detroit
Michigan
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$37,761
Violent Crime Index
469⚠ High
Population
636,787 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Aurora, CO
Pros
Households earn $40,924 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 9.2 pts lower (5.5%)
47% less violent crime than Detroit
More college-educated — 31.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 33°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $409,700
Higher rents — median is $1,651/mo
Violent crime (947.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3103.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Detroit, MI
Pros
Homes cost $343k less ($66,700 vs $409,700)
Rent averages $662/mo less ($989 vs $1,651)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Aurora
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 90°F
Cons
Median income trails Aurora by $40,924/yr
Violent crime (1781.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4305.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (14.7% vs 5.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Aurora
Median Income
$40,924
$78,685 vs $37,761/yr
Aurora
Violent Crime
47% lower
947.8 vs 1781.3 per 100k
Aurora
Unemployment
9.2 pp lower
5.5% vs 14.7% unemployment
Aurora
Summer Heat
6.3°F warmer
July avg high 90.4°F vs 84.1°F
Detroit
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Detroit
Median Home Value
$343k less
$66,700 vs $409,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Detroit, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $409,700⚠ High | $66,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,651⚠ High | $989 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,685 ✓ Higher | $37,761 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 14.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 25.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.0% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 209⚠ High ✓ Safer | 363⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 249⚠ High ✓ Safer | 469⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 148⚠ High ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) ✓ Better | C (79) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.6:1 | 16.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.8% ✓ Higher | 16.9% |
| High School or Higher | 86.9% ✓ Higher | 82.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A | Detroit Public Schools Community District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.3°F ✓ Warmer | 33.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.4°F ✓ Warmer | 84.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.5" ✓ Drier | 34.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 49.0" | 30.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 387,349 | 636,787 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.1 ✓ Older | 35.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.5% ✓ Higher | 48.8% |
| Under 18 | 24.2% | 24.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 14.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Aurora's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Detroit's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Detroit is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Aurora leads 14 of 23 categories. Aurora wins 14 and Detroit wins 9. 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 Detroit or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($409,700 vs $66,700 median home), income ($78,685 vs $37,761), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Aurora, CO and Detroit, MI are about 1,138 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.