City comparison
No. Aurora's crime index is 212 versus 271 in Denver, and its violent crime index is 248 versus 272, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Denver is cheaper. Median rent is $1,831 a month versus $1,835 in Aurora.
Safety is where Denver and Aurora split most clearly. Aurora scores 59 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,831 in Denver and $1,835 in Aurora.
Denver is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, the job market, 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 Denver is the stronger move.
The crime gap is citywide. Aurora has rougher pockets and Denver has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Denver and Aurora are 8 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,831 a month in Denver to $1,835 a month in Aurora, up $4 a month (under 1%).
Median household income goes from $94,718 in Denver to $88,368 in Aurora, down $6,350 (7%).
The crime index goes from 271 in Denver to 212 in Aurora, down 59 points (22%).
The move
Aurora and Denver are 8 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,835 a month in Aurora to $1,831 a month in Denver, down $4 a month (under 1%).
Median household income goes from $88,368 in Aurora to $94,718 in Denver, up $6,350 (7%).
The crime index goes from 212 in Aurora to 271 in Denver, up 59 points (28%).
Denver, CO
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 Denver and Aurora? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
1% cheaper
Denver rent is 1% cheaper than Aurora
Denver
Winner$1,831/mo
Aurora
$1,835/mo
Typical rent runs $1,831 a month in Denver versus $1,835 in Aurora, so Denver is 1% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $4, or $48 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Denver? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
7% higher
Denver's median income is 7% higher than Aurora
Denver
Winner$94,718
Aurora
$88,368
Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $88,368 in Aurora, so typical pay runs 7% higher in Denver (about $6,350 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
22% lower crime
Aurora's crime index is 22% lower than Denver
Denver
271 (100 = avg)
Aurora
Winner212 (100 = avg)
Aurora's crime index is 212 versus 271 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 22% 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. Denver can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
3% more comfortable
Denver weather is 3% more comfortable than Aurora
Denver
Winner62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Aurora
61°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 89/100
Denver averages about 62°F (71°F highs); Aurora averages about 61°F (71°F highs). Denver averages around 62°F. Aurora averages around 61°F. Denver scores 3% 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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
Denver is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 1% cheaper here at about $1,831 a month. Choose Denver if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 7% higher ($94,718), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 62°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
Aurora is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 22% lower than Denver (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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Aurora leads on safety (37/100 vs 30/100 in Denver). With rent tied near $1,835/month, do not assume either lease buys the calmer blocks.
Median income is $94,718 in Denver versus $88,368 in Aurora — with rent matched, the paycheck gap matters more.
Weather averages land near 62°F in Denver and 61°F in Aurora.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Aurora; Denver only makes sense when you have walked the Denver ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,831 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Denver when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Denver and Aurora, plus other cities in CO.
