City comparison
No. Newark's crime index is 136 versus 212 in Aurora, and its violent crime index is 159 versus 248, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Newark is cheaper. Median rent is $1,392 a month versus $1,835 in Aurora.
The income gap between Aurora and Newark is significant: $88,368 median household versus $52,060. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,835 in Aurora and $1,392 in Newark.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Newark 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. Newark at $1,392 average has pockets that run $1,192 and others at $1,792: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Aurora and Newark are 1,610 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,835 a month in Aurora to $1,392 a month in Newark, down $443 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $88,368 in Aurora to $52,060 in Newark, down $36,308 (41%).
The crime index goes from 212 in Aurora to 136 in Newark, down 76 points (36%).
The move
Newark and Aurora are 1,610 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,392 a month in Newark to $1,835 a month in Aurora, up $443 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $52,060 in Newark to $88,368 in Aurora, up $36,308 (70%).
The crime index goes from 136 in Newark to 212 in Aurora, up 76 points (56%).
Aurora, CO
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Newark, NJ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Aurora and Newark? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
24% cheaper
Newark rent is 24% cheaper than Aurora
Aurora
$1,835/mo
Newark
Winner$1,392/mo
Typical rent runs $1,392 a month in Newark versus $1,835 in Aurora, so Newark is 24% cheaper. That's roughly $443/month back in your pocket ($5,316/year). Over five years that's $26,580 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, Newark is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Newark? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
70% higher
Aurora's median income is 70% higher than Newark
Aurora
Winner$88,368
Newark
$52,060
Median household income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $52,060 in Newark, so typical pay runs 70% higher in Aurora (about $36,308 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. Newark can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
36% lower crime
Newark's crime index is 36% lower than Aurora
Aurora
212 (100 = avg)
Newark
Winner136 (100 = avg)
Newark's crime index is 136 versus 212 in Aurora (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 36% lower in Newark. 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, Newark 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
9% more comfortable
Aurora weather is 9% more comfortable than Newark
Aurora
Winner56°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 75/100
Newark
54°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 69/100
Aurora averages about 56°F (65°F highs); Newark averages about 54°F (60°F highs). Aurora averages around 56°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Newark averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Aurora scores 9% 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 Newark 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 70% higher ($88,368), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 56°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
Newark is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 24% cheaper here at about $1,392 a month. Choose Newark if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Newark is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 36% lower than Aurora (136 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
Newark is cheaper on rent ($1,392/month vs $1,835), but Aurora's $88,368 median income beats Newark's $52,060 by 41%. Remote workers paid on Aurora scales can make that trade; local-market earners often cannot.
Aurora still pays more locally ($88,368 median income vs $52,060), which can offset the lease if your field pays Aurora rates.
Typical rent stays $1,392 in Newark and $1,835 in Aurora.
Aurora leads on local pay ($88,368 median income vs $52,060), even though rent runs $1,835 versus $1,392 — skip Aurora only if you are optimizing for the cheaper lease, not the paycheck.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Newark when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Aurora and Newark, plus other cities in CO and NJ.
