Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Aurora, CO
VS
Minneapolis, MN
🏆 Aurora leads 12 of 23 categories
Aurora
Colorado
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$78,685 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
249⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
387,349
Minneapolis
Minnesota
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$76,332
Violent Crime Index
305⚠ High
Population
426,877 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Aurora, CO
Pros
18% less violent crime than Minneapolis
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 22°F
Cons
Violent crime (947.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,651/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $409,700
Property crime (3103.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Minneapolis, MN
Pros
Rent averages $384/mo less ($1,267 vs $1,651)
Homes cost $81k less ($328,700 vs $409,700)
More college-educated — 53.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 90°F
Smaller class sizes — 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (1160.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (5142.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 40" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Aurora
Median Income
$2,353
$78,685 vs $76,332/yr
Aurora
Violent Crime
18% lower
947.8 vs 1160.2 per 100k
Aurora
Summer Heat
7.3°F warmer
July avg high 90.4°F vs 83.1°F
Minneapolis
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 104.5 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Minneapolis
Median Home Value
$81k less
$328,700 vs $409,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Minneapolis, MN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High | 104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $409,700⚠ High | $328,700⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,651⚠ High | $1,267 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,685 ✓ Higher | $76,332 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 22.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.0% | 19.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 209⚠ High ✓ Safer | 281⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 249⚠ High ✓ Safer | 305⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 148⚠ High ✓ Safer | 245⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.6:1 | 11.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.8% | 53.5% ✓ 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 | Minneapolis Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.3°F ✓ Warmer | 21.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.4°F ✓ Warmer | 83.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.5" ✓ Drier | 33.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 49.0" | 40.4" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 387,349 | 426,877 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.1 ✓ Older | 32.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.5% ✓ Higher | 48.1% |
| Under 18 | 24.2% ✓ More | 19.1% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% ✓ More | 10.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Aurora's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Minneapolis's 104.5 (US average = 100).
Minneapolis is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Aurora leads 12 of 23 categories. Aurora wins 12 and Minneapolis wins 11. 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 Minneapolis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($409,700 vs $328,700 median home), income ($78,685 vs $76,332), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Aurora, CO and Minneapolis, MN are about 688 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.