Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Aurora, CO
VS
Lafayette, LA
🏆 Lafayette 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 ✓ Safer
Population
387,349 ✓ Larger
Lafayette
Louisiana
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
87.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,850
Violent Crime Index
281⚠ High
Population
121,706
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Aurora, CO
Pros
Households earn $19,835 more per year on average
11% less violent crime than Lafayette
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.6 pts lower (5.5%)
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
Cost of living runs 19% higher than Lafayette
Lafayette, LA
Pros
Homes cost $175k less ($234,900 vs $409,700)
Rent averages $629/mo less ($1,022 vs $1,651)
19% cheaper overall cost of living than Aurora
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 40.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 62°F vs 47°F
Cons
Median income trails Aurora by $19,835/yr
Violent crime (1066.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4347.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Aurora
Median Income
$19,835
$78,685 vs $58,850/yr
Aurora
Violent Crime
11% lower
947.8 vs 1066.1 per 100k
Aurora
Unemployment
0.6 pp lower
5.5% vs 6.1% unemployment
Lafayette
Cost of Living
19% cheaper
COL index 87.0 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Lafayette
Median Home Value
$175k less
$234,900 vs $409,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lafayette, LA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High | 87.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $409,700⚠ High | $234,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,651⚠ High | $1,022 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,685 ✓ Higher | $58,850 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 20.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.0% ✓ Higher | 8.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 209⚠ High ✓ Safer | 251⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 249⚠ High ✓ Safer | 281⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 148⚠ High ✓ Safer | 207⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.8% | 40.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.9% | 90.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A | Lafayette Parish |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.3°F | 61.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 90.4°F | 91.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.5" ✓ Drier | 64.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 49.0" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 387,349 ✓ Larger | 121,706 |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.5% ✓ Higher | 56.3% |
| Under 18 | 24.2% ✓ More | 21.2% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 16.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Aurora's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Lafayette's 87.0 (US average = 100).
Lafayette is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lafayette leads 12 of 23 categories. Aurora wins 11 and Lafayette 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 Lafayette or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($409,700 vs $234,900 median home), income ($78,685 vs $58,850), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Aurora, CO and Lafayette, LA are about 971 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.