Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Aurora, CO
VS
Santa Monica, CA
🏆 Santa Monica leads 12 of 23 categories
Aurora
Colorado
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,685
Violent Crime Index
249⚠ High
Population
387,349 ✓ Larger
Santa Monica
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$106,797 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
205⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
92,168
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Aurora, CO
Pros
Homes cost $1245k less ($409,700 vs $1,654,800)
Rent averages $576/mo less ($1,651 vs $2,227)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (5.5%)
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Santa Monica
Smaller class sizes — 16.6:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Santa Monica by $28,112/yr
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
Longer commutes — 29.4 min average each way
Santa Monica, CA
Pros
Households earn $28,112 more per year on average
18% less violent crime than Aurora
More college-educated — 67.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 69°F vs 90°F
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 62°F vs 47°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,654,800
Higher rents — median is $2,227/mo
Violent crime (778.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Aurora
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 105.5 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Aurora
Median Home Value
$1245k less
$409,700 vs $1,654,800
Aurora
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
5.5% vs 6.2% unemployment
Aurora
Summer Heat
21.0°F warmer
July avg high 90.4°F vs 69.4°F
Santa Monica
Median Income
$28,112
$106,797 vs $78,685/yr
Santa Monica
Violent Crime
18% lower
778.0 vs 947.8 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Santa Monica, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $409,700⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,654,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,651⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,227⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,685 | $106,797 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 25.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.0% | 27.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 209⚠ High ✓ Safer | 214⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 249⚠ High | 205⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 148⚠ High ✓ Safer | 228⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | A- (114) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.8% | 67.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.9% | 94.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A | Santa Monica-Malibu Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.3°F | 62.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 90.4°F ✓ Warmer | 69.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.5" | 12.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 49.0" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 387,349 ✓ Larger | 92,168 |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 42.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.5% ✓ Higher | 28.9% |
| Under 18 | 24.2% ✓ More | 15.0% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 18.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Aurora's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Santa Monica's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Aurora is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Santa Monica leads 12 of 23 categories. Aurora wins 11 and Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($409,700 vs $1,654,800 median home), income ($78,685 vs $106,797), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Aurora, CO and Santa Monica, CA are about 856 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.