City comparison
No. Aurora's crime index is 212 versus 216 in Indianapolis, and its violent crime index is 248 versus 246, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Indianapolis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,156 a month versus $1,835 in Aurora.
The cost gap between Indianapolis and Aurora is the real story here. Indianapolis comes in 37% cheaper on typical rent ($1,156 vs $1,835), which over a year adds up to $8,148. Median household income runs $66,219 in Indianapolis and $88,368 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. Indianapolis 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. Indianapolis at $1,156 average has pockets that run $956 and others at $1,556: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Indianapolis and Aurora are 990 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,156 a month in Indianapolis to $1,835 a month in Aurora, up $679 a month (59%).
Median household income goes from $66,219 in Indianapolis to $88,368 in Aurora, up $22,149 (33%).
The crime index goes from 216 in Indianapolis to 212 in Aurora, down 4 points (2%).
The move
Aurora and Indianapolis are 990 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,835 a month in Aurora to $1,156 a month in Indianapolis, down $679 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $88,368 in Aurora to $66,219 in Indianapolis, down $22,149 (25%).
The crime index goes from 212 in Aurora to 216 in Indianapolis, up 4 points (2%).
Indianapolis, IN
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 Indianapolis and Aurora? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
37% cheaper
Indianapolis rent is 37% cheaper than Aurora
Indianapolis
Winner$1,156/mo
Aurora
$1,835/mo
Typical rent runs $1,156 a month in Indianapolis versus $1,835 in Aurora, so Indianapolis is 37% cheaper. That's roughly $679/month back in your pocket ($8,148/year). Over five years that's $40,740 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, Indianapolis 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
33% higher
Aurora's median income is 33% higher than Indianapolis
Indianapolis
$66,219
Aurora
Winner$88,368
Median household income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $66,219 in Indianapolis, so typical pay runs 33% higher in Aurora (about $22,149 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. Indianapolis can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
2% lower crime
Aurora's crime index is 2% lower than Indianapolis
Indianapolis
216 (100 = avg)
Aurora
Winner212 (100 = avg)
Aurora's crime index is 212 versus 216 in Indianapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 2% lower in Aurora. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Aurora, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Indianapolis. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
14% more comfortable
Aurora weather is 14% more comfortable than Indianapolis
Indianapolis
57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
Aurora
Winner61°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 89/100
Indianapolis averages about 57°F (66°F highs); Aurora averages about 61°F (71°F highs). Indianapolis averages around 57°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Aurora averages around 61°F. Aurora scores 14% 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 Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 37% cheaper here at about $1,156 a month. Choose Indianapolis 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 33% 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 2% lower than Indianapolis (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 Indianapolis sits at $1,156 — roughly 37% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Aurora-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Indianapolis rent at $1,156/month is still below Aurora's $1,835, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 57°F in Indianapolis and 61°F in Aurora.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in Indianapolis; 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 Indianapolis and Aurora, plus other cities in IN and CO.
