City comparison
Yes. Bakersfield's crime index is 148 versus 212 in Aurora, and its violent crime index is 152 versus 248, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Bakersfield is cheaper. Median rent is $1,472 a month versus $1,835 in Aurora.
Safety is where Bakersfield and Aurora split most clearly. Bakersfield scores 64 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,472 in Bakersfield and $1,835 in Aurora.
Bakersfield is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Aurora makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Bakersfield is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Bakersfield at $1,472 average has pockets that run $1,272 and others at $1,872: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Bakersfield and Aurora are 832 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Bakersfield to $1,835 a month in Aurora, up $363 a month (25%).
Median household income goes from $80,540 in Bakersfield to $88,368 in Aurora, up $7,828 (10%).
The crime index goes from 148 in Bakersfield to 212 in Aurora, up 64 points (43%).
The move
Aurora and Bakersfield are 832 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,835 a month in Aurora to $1,472 a month in Bakersfield, down $363 a month (20%).
Median household income goes from $88,368 in Aurora to $80,540 in Bakersfield, down $7,828 (9%).
The crime index goes from 212 in Aurora to 148 in Bakersfield, down 64 points (30%).
Bakersfield, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Aurora, CO
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Bakersfield and Aurora? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
20% cheaper
Bakersfield rent is 20% cheaper than Aurora
Bakersfield
Winner$1,472/mo
Aurora
$1,835/mo
Typical rent runs $1,472 a month in Bakersfield versus $1,835 in Aurora, so Bakersfield is 20% 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 $4,356, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
10% higher
Aurora's median income is 10% higher than Bakersfield
Bakersfield
$80,540
Aurora
Winner$88,368
Median household income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $80,540 in Bakersfield, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Aurora (about $7,828 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
30% lower crime
Bakersfield's crime index is 30% lower than Aurora
Bakersfield
Winner148 (100 = avg)
Aurora
212 (100 = avg)
Bakersfield's crime index is 148 versus 212 in Aurora (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 30% lower in Bakersfield. 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, Bakersfield 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
12% more comfortable
Bakersfield weather is 12% more comfortable than Aurora
Bakersfield
Winner73°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Aurora
61°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 89/100
Bakersfield averages about 73°F (87°F highs); Aurora averages about 61°F (71°F highs). Bakersfield sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Aurora averages around 61°F. Bakersfield scores 12% 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 Aurora if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Bakersfield is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 20% cheaper here at about $1,472 a month. Choose Bakersfield if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Bakersfield if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (73°F) beat Aurora on this page's weather index by 12%. Aurora may pay more or cost less, but Bakersfield is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bakersfield is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 30% lower than Aurora (148 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
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 10% higher here ($88,368). Start with Aurora if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Bakersfield scores 48/100 versus 37/100 in Aurora. Rent is $1,472/month in Bakersfield and $1,835/month in Aurora, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Aurora still pays more locally ($88,368 median income vs $80,540), which can offset the lease if your field pays Aurora rates.
Weather averages land near 73°F in Bakersfield and 61°F in Aurora.
Bakersfield is ahead on safety (48/100 vs 37/100); Aurora is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,835/month rent plus $88,368 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
Ready to move to Bakersfield?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Bakersfield when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Bakersfield and Aurora, plus other cities in CA and CO.
