Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Aurora, CO
VS
Seattle, WA
🏆 Seattle leads 14 of 23 categories
Aurora
Colorado
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,685
Violent Crime Index
249⚠ High
Population
387,349
Seattle
Washington
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$116,068 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
204⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
734,603 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Aurora, CO
Pros
Homes cost $470k less ($409,700 vs $879,900)
Rent averages $294/mo less ($1,651 vs $1,945)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Seattle
Cons
Median income trails Seattle by $37,383/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
Higher unemployment (5.5% vs 4.2%)
Seattle, WA
Pros
Households earn $37,383 more per year on average
18% less violent crime than Aurora
More college-educated — 66.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (4.2%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 90°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $879,900
Violent crime (775.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,945/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Key Differences at a Glance
Aurora
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 105.5 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Aurora
Median Home Value
$470k less
$409,700 vs $879,900
Aurora
Summer Heat
13.9°F warmer
July avg high 90.4°F vs 76.5°F
Seattle
Median Income
$37,383
$116,068 vs $78,685/yr
Seattle
Violent Crime
18% lower
775.1 vs 947.8 per 100k
Seattle
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $409,700⚠ High ✓ Lower | $879,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,651⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,945⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,685 | $116,068 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 27.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.0% | 27.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 209⚠ High ✓ Safer | 218⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 249⚠ High | 204⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 148⚠ High ✓ Safer | 238⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.6:1 | 16.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.8% | 66.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.9% | 95.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A | Seattle School District No. 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.3°F | 47.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 90.4°F ✓ Warmer | 76.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.5" ✓ Drier | 38.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 49.0" | 3.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 387,349 | 734,603 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.5% ✓ Higher | 44.5% |
| Under 18 | 24.2% ✓ More | 14.0% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 12.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Aurora's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Seattle's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Aurora is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Seattle leads 14 of 23 categories. Aurora wins 9 and Seattle wins 14. 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 Seattle or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($409,700 vs $879,900 median home), income ($78,685 vs $116,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Aurora, CO and Seattle, WA are about 1,034 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.