Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Aurora, CO
VS
Worcester, MA
🏆 Aurora leads 12 of 21 categories
Aurora
Colorado
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$78,685 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
249⚠ High
Population
387,349 ✓ Larger
Worcester
Massachusetts
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,011
Violent Crime Index
4 ✓ Safer
Population
204,191
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Aurora, CO
Pros
Households earn $15,674 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (5.5%)
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $409,700
Violent crime (947.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,651/mo
Property crime (3103.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Worcester, MA
Pros
98% less violent crime than Aurora
Homes cost $104k less ($305,600 vs $409,700)
Rent averages $339/mo less ($1,312 vs $1,651)
Violent crime is well below the national average (16.5 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 90°F
Cons
Median income trails Aurora by $15,674/yr
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 5.5%)
Snowy winters — about 73" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Aurora
Median Income
$15,674
$78,685 vs $63,011/yr
Aurora
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
5.5% vs 6.6% unemployment
Aurora
Summer Heat
10.6°F warmer
July avg high 90.4°F vs 79.8°F
Worcester
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 103.8 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Worcester
Violent Crime
98% lower
16.5 vs 947.8 per 100k
Worcester
Median Home Value
$104k less
$305,600 vs $409,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High | 103.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $409,700⚠ High | $305,600⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,651⚠ High | $1,312 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,685 ✓ Higher | $63,011 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 24.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.0% ✓ Higher | 9.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 209⚠ High | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 249⚠ High | 4 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 148⚠ High | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B+ (106) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.6:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.8% | 33.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.9% ✓ Higher | 85.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A | Worcester |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.3°F ✓ Warmer | 32.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.4°F ✓ Warmer | 79.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.5" ✓ Drier | 48.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 49.0" ✓ Less | 72.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 387,349 ✓ Larger | 204,191 |
| Median Age | 35.1 ✓ Older | 34.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.5% ✓ Higher | 42.1% |
| Under 18 | 24.2% ✓ More | 19.5% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 13.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Aurora's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Worcester's 103.8 (US average = 100).
Worcester is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Aurora leads 12 of 21 categories. Aurora wins 12 and Worcester wins 9. 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 Worcester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($409,700 vs $305,600 median home), income ($78,685 vs $63,011), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Aurora, CO and Worcester, MA are about 1,715 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.