City comparison
No. Boise's crime index is 73 versus 212 in Aurora, and its violent crime index is 85 versus 248, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Boise is cheaper. Median rent is $1,446 a month versus $1,835 in Aurora.
Safety is where Aurora and Boise split most clearly. Boise scores 139 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,835 in Aurora and $1,446 in Boise.
This is a genuine split. Aurora wins on the job market and Boise wins on cost of living and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Boise at $1,446 average has pockets that run $1,246 and others at $1,846: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Aurora and Boise are 645 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,835 a month in Aurora to $1,446 a month in Boise, down $389 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $88,368 in Aurora to $83,904 in Boise, down $4,464 (5%).
The crime index goes from 212 in Aurora to 73 in Boise, down 139 points (66%).
The move
Boise and Aurora are 645 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,446 a month in Boise to $1,835 a month in Aurora, up $389 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $83,904 in Boise to $88,368 in Aurora, up $4,464 (5%).
The crime index goes from 73 in Boise to 212 in Aurora, up 139 points (190%).
Aurora, CO
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Boise, ID
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Aurora and Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
21% cheaper
Boise rent is 21% cheaper than Aurora
Aurora
$1,835/mo
Boise
Winner$1,446/mo
Typical rent runs $1,446 a month in Boise versus $1,835 in Aurora, so Boise is 21% cheaper. That's roughly $389/month back in your pocket ($4,668/year). Over five years that's $23,340 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Aurora, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Boise is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
5% higher
Aurora's median income is 5% higher than Boise
Aurora
Winner$88,368
Boise
$83,904
Median household income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $83,904 in Boise, so typical pay runs 5% higher in Aurora (about $4,464 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
66% lower crime
Boise's crime index is 66% lower than Aurora
Aurora
212 (100 = avg)
Boise
Winner73 (100 = avg)
Boise's crime index is 73 versus 212 in Aurora (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 66% lower in Boise. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Boise is the easier city. Aurora can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Aurora and Boise are about even on typical weather.
Aurora
61°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 89/100
Boise
61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Aurora averages about 61°F (71°F highs); Boise averages about 61°F (70°F highs). Aurora averages around 61°F. Boise averages around 61°F. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Aurora is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 5% higher here ($88,368). Start with Aurora if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Boise is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 21% cheaper here at about $1,446 a month. Choose Boise if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Boise is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 66% lower than Aurora (73 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Boise: Boise scores 70/100 versus 37/100 in Aurora, with typical rent at $1,446 versus $1,835. I would vet the exact ZIP in Aurora before trading 33 safety points for housing savings.
Aurora still pays more locally ($88,368 median income vs $83,904), which can offset the lease if your field pays Aurora rates.
Median income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $83,904 in Boise.
Boise clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Aurora deserves a serious look only when you already know the Aurora block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Aurora and Boise, plus other cities in CO and ID.
