City comparison
No. Durham's crime index is 193 versus 212 in Aurora, and its violent crime index is 163 versus 248, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Durham is cheaper. Median rent is $1,508 a month versus $1,835 in Aurora.
Aurora and Durham are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,835 in Aurora and $1,508 in Durham, and median household income lands at $88,368 versus $81,619. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Durham costs less and Aurora pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Durham at $1,508 average has pockets that run $1,308 and others at $1,908: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Aurora and Durham are 1,433 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,835 a month in Aurora to $1,508 a month in Durham, down $327 a month (18%).
Median household income goes from $88,368 in Aurora to $81,619 in Durham, down $6,749 (8%).
The crime index goes from 212 in Aurora to 193 in Durham, down 19 points (9%).
The move
Durham and Aurora are 1,433 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,508 a month in Durham to $1,835 a month in Aurora, up $327 a month (22%).
Median household income goes from $81,619 in Durham to $88,368 in Aurora, up $6,749 (8%).
The crime index goes from 193 in Durham to 212 in Aurora, up 19 points (10%).
Aurora, CO
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Durham, NC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Aurora and Durham? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
18% cheaper
Durham rent is 18% cheaper than Aurora
Aurora
$1,835/mo
Durham
Winner$1,508/mo
Typical rent runs $1,508 a month in Durham versus $1,835 in Aurora, so Durham is 18% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,924, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Durham still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Aurora.
Planning to buy in Durham? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
8% higher
Aurora's median income is 8% higher than Durham
Aurora
Winner$88,368
Durham
$81,619
Median household income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $81,619 in Durham, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Aurora (about $6,749 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
9% lower crime
Durham's crime index is 9% lower than Aurora
Aurora
212 (100 = avg)
Durham
Winner193 (100 = avg)
Durham's crime index is 193 versus 212 in Aurora (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 9% lower in Durham. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Durham, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Aurora. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
7% more comfortable
Aurora weather is 7% more comfortable than Durham
Aurora
Winner61°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 89/100
Durham
59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Aurora averages about 61°F (71°F highs); Durham averages about 59°F (68°F highs). Aurora averages around 61°F. Durham averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Aurora scores 7% 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 Durham 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 8% 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.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Durham is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 18% cheaper here at about $1,508 a month. Choose Durham if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Durham is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 9% lower than Aurora (193 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
On rent alone, Durham undercuts Aurora by $327/month ($1,508 vs $1,835). I would not pick Aurora on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Durham rent at $1,508/month is still below Aurora's $1,835, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $81,619 in Durham.
Between Aurora and Durham, Durham is ahead on housing cost — $1,508/month rent against $1,835. Lean Aurora instead when your $88,368 income offer in Aurora outweighs saving $327/month in Durham.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Durham when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Aurora and Durham, plus other cities in CO and NC.
