Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Aurora, CO
VS
Spokane, WA
🏆 Spokane leads 14 of 23 categories
Aurora
Colorado
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$78,685 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
249⚠ High
Population
387,349 ✓ Larger
Spokane
Washington
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,316
Violent Crime Index
178⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
227,922
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Aurora, CO
Pros
Households earn $15,369 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (5.5%)
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 38°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,651/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $409,700
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
Spokane, WA
Pros
Rent averages $591/mo less ($1,060 vs $1,651)
Homes cost $123k less ($286,900 vs $409,700)
29% less violent crime than Aurora
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Smaller class sizes — 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Aurora
Cons
Violent crime (674.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Aurora by $15,369/yr
Property crime (4840.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.2% vs 5.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Aurora
Median Income
$15,369
$78,685 vs $63,316/yr
Aurora
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
5.5% vs 6.2% unemployment
Aurora
Summer Heat
3.3°F warmer
July avg high 90.4°F vs 87.1°F
Spokane
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 101.0 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Spokane
Violent Crime
29% lower
674.9 vs 947.8 per 100k
Spokane
Median Home Value
$123k less
$286,900 vs $409,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Spokane, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High | 101.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $409,700⚠ High | $286,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,651⚠ High | $1,060 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,685 ✓ Higher | $63,316 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 20.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.0% ✓ Higher | 12.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 209⚠ High | 199⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 249⚠ High | 178⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 148⚠ High ✓ Safer | 231⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B (101) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.6:1 | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.8% | 32.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.9% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A | Spokane School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.3°F ✓ Warmer | 37.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.4°F ✓ Warmer | 87.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.5" | 17.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 49.0" | 45.4" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 387,349 ✓ Larger | 227,922 |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.5% ✓ Higher | 57.5% |
| Under 18 | 24.2% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Aurora's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Spokane's 101.0 (US average = 100).
Spokane is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Spokane leads 14 of 23 categories. Aurora wins 9 and Spokane 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 Spokane or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($409,700 vs $286,900 median home), income ($78,685 vs $63,316), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Aurora, CO and Spokane, WA are about 838 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.