City comparison
Yes. Los Angeles's crime index is 158 versus 212 in Aurora, and its violent crime index is 202 versus 248, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Aurora is cheaper. Median rent is $1,835 a month versus $1,933 in Los Angeles.
Safety is where Los Angeles and Aurora split most clearly. Los Angeles scores 54 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,933 in Los Angeles and $1,835 in Aurora.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Aurora is the easier city on typical rent, but Los Angeles can still be the better daily fit depending on schools, safety, and climate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The crime gap is citywide. Los Angeles has rougher pockets and Aurora has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Los Angeles and Aurora are 837 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,933 a month in Los Angeles to $1,835 a month in Aurora, down $98 a month (5%).
Median household income goes from $81,939 in Los Angeles to $88,368 in Aurora, up $6,429 (8%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Los Angeles to 212 in Aurora, up 54 points (34%).
The move
Aurora and Los Angeles are 837 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,835 a month in Aurora to $1,933 a month in Los Angeles, up $98 a month (5%).
Median household income goes from $88,368 in Aurora to $81,939 in Los Angeles, down $6,429 (7%).
The crime index goes from 212 in Aurora to 158 in Los Angeles, down 54 points (25%).
Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles and Aurora? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
5% cheaper
Aurora rent is 5% cheaper than Los Angeles
Los Angeles
$1,933/mo
Aurora
Winner$1,835/mo
Typical rent runs $1,835 a month in Aurora versus $1,933 in Los Angeles, so Aurora is 5% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $98, or $1,176 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
8% higher
Aurora's median income is 8% higher than Los Angeles
Los Angeles
$81,939
Aurora
Winner$88,368
Median household income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $81,939 in Los Angeles, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Aurora (about $6,429 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
25% lower crime
Los Angeles's crime index is 25% lower than Aurora
Los Angeles
Winner158 (100 = avg)
Aurora
212 (100 = avg)
Los Angeles's crime index is 158 versus 212 in Aurora (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 25% lower in Los Angeles. 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, Los Angeles 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
Los Angeles weather is 12% more comfortable than Aurora
Los Angeles
Winner77°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Aurora
61°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 89/100
Los Angeles averages about 77°F (83°F highs); Aurora averages about 61°F (71°F highs). Los Angeles sits near 77°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Aurora averages around 61°F. Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (77°F) beat Aurora on this page's weather index by 12%. Aurora may pay more or cost less, but Los Angeles is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Los Angeles is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 25% lower than Aurora (158 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 5% 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 8% 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: $1,933/month rent in Los Angeles at 77°F versus $1,835 in Aurora at 61°F. Income runs $81,939 vs $88,368, but the daily feel of the move is the temperature gap.
With only $98 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Median income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $81,939 in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles wins on climate (77°F vs 61°F); Aurora is the better fit if $1,835 rent and $88,368 pay matter more than daily weather.
Common questions
Ready to move to Aurora?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Aurora when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Los Angeles and Aurora, plus other cities in CA and CO.
