City comparison
Yes. Aurora's crime index is 212 versus 326 in Wichita, and its violent crime index is 248 versus 353, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Wichita is cheaper. Median rent is $975 a month versus $1,835 in Aurora.
The cost gap between Aurora and Wichita is the real story here. Wichita comes in 47% cheaper on typical rent ($1,835 vs $975), which over a year adds up to $10,320. Median household income runs $88,368 in Aurora and $64,620 in Wichita.
This is a genuine split. Aurora wins on the job market and safety and Wichita wins on cost of living. 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. Wichita at $975 average has pockets that run $775 and others at $1,375: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Aurora and Wichita are 428 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,835 a month in Aurora to $975 a month in Wichita, down $860 a month (47%).
Median household income goes from $88,368 in Aurora to $64,620 in Wichita, down $23,748 (27%).
The crime index goes from 212 in Aurora to 326 in Wichita, up 114 points (54%).
The move
Wichita and Aurora are 428 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $975 a month in Wichita to $1,835 a month in Aurora, up $860 a month (88%).
Median household income goes from $64,620 in Wichita to $88,368 in Aurora, up $23,748 (37%).
The crime index goes from 326 in Wichita to 212 in Aurora, down 114 points (35%).
Aurora, CO
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Wichita, KS
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Aurora and Wichita? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
47% cheaper
Wichita rent is 47% cheaper than Aurora
Aurora
$1,835/mo
Wichita
Winner$975/mo
Typical rent runs $975 a month in Wichita versus $1,835 in Aurora, so Wichita is 47% cheaper. That's roughly $860/month back in your pocket ($10,320/year). Over five years that's $51,600 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, Wichita 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
37% higher
Aurora's median income is 37% higher than Wichita
Aurora
Winner$88,368
Wichita
$64,620
Median household income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $64,620 in Wichita, so typical pay runs 37% higher in Aurora (about $23,748 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. Wichita can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
35% lower crime
Aurora's crime index is 35% lower than Wichita
Aurora
Winner212 (100 = avg)
Wichita
326 (100 = avg)
Aurora's crime index is 212 versus 326 in Wichita (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 35% lower in Aurora. 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, Aurora is the easier city. Wichita 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 Wichita are about even on typical weather.
Aurora
61°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 89/100
Wichita
61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Aurora averages about 61°F (71°F highs); Wichita averages about 61°F (69°F highs). Aurora averages around 61°F. Wichita 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 37% higher here ($88,368). Start with Aurora if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Aurora is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 35% lower than Wichita (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 Wichita
Wichita is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 47% cheaper here at about $975 a month. Choose Wichita if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Wichita at $975/month versus $1,835 in Aurora ($860 apart). Aurora median income is $88,368 against $64,620 in Wichita, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Wichita rent at $975/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 $64,620 in Wichita.
If housing cost drives your move, Wichita is the stronger match ($975/month rent against $1,835). If an employer or family tie already points to Aurora, treat $1,835/month rent and $88,368 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Aurora and Wichita, plus other cities in CO and KS.
