City comparison
No. Aurora's crime index is 212 versus 338 in Baltimore, and its violent crime index is 248 versus 428, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Baltimore is cheaper. Median rent is $1,331 a month versus $1,835 in Aurora.
The income gap between Baltimore and Aurora is significant: $62,177 median household versus $88,368. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,331 in Baltimore and $1,835 in Aurora.
Aurora is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Baltimore 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. Baltimore at $1,331 average has pockets that run $1,131 and others at $1,731: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Baltimore and Aurora are 1,498 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,331 a month in Baltimore to $1,835 a month in Aurora, up $504 a month (38%).
Median household income goes from $62,177 in Baltimore to $88,368 in Aurora, up $26,191 (42%).
The crime index goes from 338 in Baltimore to 212 in Aurora, down 126 points (37%).
The move
Aurora and Baltimore are 1,498 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,835 a month in Aurora to $1,331 a month in Baltimore, down $504 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $88,368 in Aurora to $62,177 in Baltimore, down $26,191 (30%).
The crime index goes from 212 in Aurora to 338 in Baltimore, up 126 points (59%).
Baltimore, MD
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 Baltimore and Aurora? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
27% cheaper
Baltimore rent is 27% cheaper than Aurora
Baltimore
Winner$1,331/mo
Aurora
$1,835/mo
Typical rent runs $1,331 a month in Baltimore versus $1,835 in Aurora, so Baltimore is 27% cheaper. That's roughly $504/month back in your pocket ($6,048/year). Over five years that's $30,240 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, Baltimore 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
42% higher
Aurora's median income is 42% higher than Baltimore
Baltimore
$62,177
Aurora
Winner$88,368
Median household income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $62,177 in Baltimore, so typical pay runs 42% higher in Aurora (about $26,191 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. Baltimore can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
37% lower crime
Aurora's crime index is 37% lower than Baltimore
Baltimore
338 (100 = avg)
Aurora
Winner212 (100 = avg)
Aurora's crime index is 212 versus 338 in Baltimore (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 37% 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. Baltimore can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
24% more comfortable
Aurora weather is 24% more comfortable than Baltimore
Baltimore
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Aurora
Winner61°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 89/100
Baltimore averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Aurora averages about 61°F (71°F highs). Baltimore averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Aurora averages around 61°F. Aurora scores 24% 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 Baltimore if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Baltimore
Baltimore is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 27% cheaper here at about $1,331 a month. Choose Baltimore if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
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 42% 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 37% lower than Baltimore (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.
Bottom line
Aurora runs $1,835/month while Baltimore sits at $1,331 — roughly 27% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Aurora-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Baltimore rent at $1,331/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 $62,177 in Baltimore.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in Baltimore; Aurora only makes sense when your offer letter is already written for Aurora at $88,368 income.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Aurora when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Baltimore and Aurora, plus other cities in MD and CO.
