Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Aurora, IL
VS
Denver, CO
🏆 Aurora leads 12 of 23 categories
Aurora
Illinois
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,943 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
181,405
Denver
Colorado
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,853
Violent Crime Index
261⚠ High
Population
710,800 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Aurora, IL
Pros
Homes cost $299k less ($241,600 vs $540,400)
73% less violent crime than Denver
Rent averages $203/mo less ($1,462 vs $1,665)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 90°F
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Denver
Cons
Higher unemployment (5.6% vs 4.7%)
Longer commutes — 28.6 min average each way
Denver, CO
Pros
More college-educated — 54.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (4.7%)
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 31°F
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $540,400
Violent crime (993.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,665/mo
Property crime (4761.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Aurora
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Aurora
Violent Crime
73% lower
266.0 vs 993.0 per 100k
Aurora
Median Home Value
$299k less
$241,600 vs $540,400
Denver
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
4.7% vs 5.6% unemployment
Denver
Summer Heat
6.2°F warmer
July avg high 90.2°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Denver, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 105.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $241,600 ✓ Lower | $540,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,462⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,665⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,943 ✓ Higher | $85,853 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.6 min⚠ High | 25.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 12.1% | 20.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 66 ✓ Safer | 247⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 261⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 60 ✓ Safer | 227⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) | A- (110) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 35.2% | 54.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 80.9% | 90.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Indian Prairie CUSD 204 | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.5°F | 46.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 90.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.5" | 15.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 27.9" ✓ Less | 49.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 181,405 | 710,800 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.4 ✓ Older | 34.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.8% ✓ Higher | 49.4% |
| Under 18 | 26.7% ✓ More | 18.7% |
| Over 65 | 10.5% | 12.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Aurora's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Denver's 105.5 (US average = 100).
Aurora is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Aurora leads 12 of 23 categories. Aurora wins 12 and Denver 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 Denver or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($241,600 vs $540,400 median home), income ($85,943 vs $85,853), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Aurora, IL and Denver, CO are about 878 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.