City comparison
Yes. Aurora's crime index is 212 versus 231 in Cincinnati, and its violent crime index is 248 versus 237, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cincinnati is cheaper. Median rent is $1,001 a month versus $1,835 in Aurora.
The income gap between Aurora and Cincinnati is significant: $88,368 median household versus $52,909. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,835 in Aurora and $1,001 in Cincinnati.
Aurora is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Cincinnati makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Aurora is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Cincinnati at $1,001 average has pockets that run $801 and others at $1,401: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Aurora and Cincinnati are 1,083 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,835 a month in Aurora to $1,001 a month in Cincinnati, down $834 a month (45%).
Median household income goes from $88,368 in Aurora to $52,909 in Cincinnati, down $35,459 (40%).
The crime index goes from 212 in Aurora to 231 in Cincinnati, up 19 points (9%).
The move
Cincinnati and Aurora are 1,083 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,001 a month in Cincinnati to $1,835 a month in Aurora, up $834 a month (83%).
Median household income goes from $52,909 in Cincinnati to $88,368 in Aurora, up $35,459 (67%).
The crime index goes from 231 in Cincinnati to 212 in Aurora, down 19 points (8%).
Aurora, CO
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Cincinnati, OH
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Aurora and Cincinnati? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
45% cheaper
Cincinnati rent is 45% cheaper than Aurora
Aurora
$1,835/mo
Cincinnati
Winner$1,001/mo
Typical rent runs $1,001 a month in Cincinnati versus $1,835 in Aurora, so Cincinnati is 45% cheaper. That's roughly $834/month back in your pocket ($10,008/year). Over five years that's $50,040 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, Cincinnati is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Aurora? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
67% higher
Aurora's median income is 67% higher than Cincinnati
Aurora
Winner$88,368
Cincinnati
$52,909
Median household income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $52,909 in Cincinnati, so typical pay runs 67% higher in Aurora (about $35,459 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Aurora is the stronger labor market on paper. Cincinnati can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
8% lower crime
Aurora's crime index is 8% lower than Cincinnati
Aurora
Winner212 (100 = avg)
Cincinnati
231 (100 = avg)
Aurora's crime index is 212 versus 231 in Cincinnati (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 8% lower in Aurora. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Aurora, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Cincinnati. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
35% more comfortable
Aurora weather is 35% more comfortable than Cincinnati
Aurora
Winner61°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 89/100
Cincinnati
53°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 66/100
Aurora averages about 61°F (71°F highs); Cincinnati averages about 53°F (62°F highs). Aurora averages around 61°F. Cincinnati averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Aurora scores 35% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Cincinnati if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 67% higher ($88,368), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 61°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Aurora is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 8% lower than Cincinnati (212 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.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Cincinnati
Cincinnati is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 45% cheaper here at about $1,001 a month. Choose Cincinnati if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,001/month in Cincinnati versus $1,835 in Aurora. Median income reads $52,909 in Cincinnati and $88,368 in Aurora, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Cincinnati rent at $1,001/month is still below Aurora's $1,835, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 61°F in Aurora and 53°F in Cincinnati.
Pick Cincinnati when shaving $834 off rent at $1,001/month is the priority. Otherwise, Aurora's case rests on $1,835/month rent with $88,368 local income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Aurora and Cincinnati, plus other cities in CO and OH.
