City comparison
Yes. Long Beach's crime index is 187 versus 212 in Aurora, and its violent crime index is 189 versus 248, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Aurora is cheaper. Median rent is $1,835 a month versus $1,871 in Long Beach.
Long Beach and Aurora are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,871 in Long Beach and $1,835 in Aurora, and median household income lands at $87,430 versus $88,368. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Aurora is the easier city on typical rent, but Long Beach can still be the better daily fit depending on schools, safety, and climate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Long Beach and Aurora are 845 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,871 a month in Long Beach to $1,835 a month in Aurora, down $36 a month (2%).
Median household income goes from $87,430 in Long Beach to $88,368 in Aurora, up $938 (1%).
The crime index goes from 187 in Long Beach to 212 in Aurora, up 25 points (13%).
The move
Aurora and Long Beach are 845 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,835 a month in Aurora to $1,871 a month in Long Beach, up $36 a month (2%).
Median household income goes from $88,368 in Aurora to $87,430 in Long Beach, down $938 (1%).
The crime index goes from 212 in Aurora to 187 in Long Beach, down 25 points (12%).
Long Beach, 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 Long Beach and Aurora? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
2% cheaper
Aurora rent is 2% cheaper than Long Beach
Long Beach
$1,871/mo
Aurora
Winner$1,835/mo
Typical rent runs $1,835 a month in Aurora versus $1,871 in Long Beach, so Aurora is 2% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $36, or $432 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 Aurora? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
1% higher
Aurora's median income is 1% higher than Long Beach
Long Beach
$87,430
Aurora
Winner$88,368
Median household income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $87,430 in Long Beach, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Aurora (about $938 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
12% lower crime
Long Beach's crime index is 12% lower than Aurora
Long Beach
Winner187 (100 = avg)
Aurora
212 (100 = avg)
Long Beach's crime index is 187 versus 212 in Aurora (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 12% lower in Long Beach. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Long Beach, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Aurora. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
12% more comfortable
Long Beach weather is 12% more comfortable than Aurora
Long Beach
Winner76°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Aurora
61°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 89/100
Long Beach averages about 76°F (81°F highs); Aurora averages about 61°F (71°F highs). Long Beach sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Aurora averages around 61°F. Long Beach 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
Pick Long Beach if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (76°F) beat Aurora on this page's weather index by 12%. Aurora may pay more or cost less, but Long Beach is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Long Beach is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 12% lower than Aurora (187 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 clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 2% cheaper here at about $1,835 a month. Choose Aurora if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Aurora is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 1% 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
Weather separates these metros: $1,871/month rent in Long Beach at 76°F versus $1,835 in Aurora at 61°F. Income runs $87,430 vs $88,368, but the daily feel of the move is the temperature gap.
With only $36 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Typical rent stays $1,835 in Aurora and $1,871 in Long Beach.
Between Long Beach and Aurora, Long Beach is ahead on climate — 76°F typical weather versus 61°F. Lean Aurora instead when you would rather tolerate 61°F than optimize for Long Beach's comfort score.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Aurora when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Long Beach and Aurora, plus other cities in CA and CO.
