City comparison
Yes. Louisville's crime index is 209 versus 212 in Aurora, and its violent crime index is 207 versus 248, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Louisville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,120 a month versus $1,835 in Aurora.
The cost gap between Louisville and Aurora is the real story here. Louisville comes in 39% cheaper on typical rent ($1,120 vs $1,835), which over a year adds up to $8,580. Median household income runs $66,849 in Louisville and $88,368 in Aurora.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Louisville costs less and Aurora pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Louisville at $1,120 average has pockets that run $920 and others at $1,520: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Louisville and Aurora are 1,027 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,120 a month in Louisville to $1,835 a month in Aurora, up $715 a month (64%).
Median household income goes from $66,849 in Louisville to $88,368 in Aurora, up $21,519 (32%).
The crime index goes from 209 in Louisville to 212 in Aurora, up 3 points (1%).
The move
Aurora and Louisville are 1,027 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,835 a month in Aurora to $1,120 a month in Louisville, down $715 a month (39%).
Median household income goes from $88,368 in Aurora to $66,849 in Louisville, down $21,519 (24%).
The crime index goes from 212 in Aurora to 209 in Louisville, down 3 points (1%).
Louisville, KY
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 Louisville and Aurora? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
39% cheaper
Louisville rent is 39% cheaper than Aurora
Louisville
Winner$1,120/mo
Aurora
$1,835/mo
Typical rent runs $1,120 a month in Louisville versus $1,835 in Aurora, so Louisville is 39% cheaper. That's roughly $715/month back in your pocket ($8,580/year). Over five years that's $42,900 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, Louisville is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Louisville? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
32% higher
Aurora's median income is 32% higher than Louisville
Louisville
$66,849
Aurora
Winner$88,368
Median household income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $66,849 in Louisville, so typical pay runs 32% higher in Aurora (about $21,519 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. Louisville can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
1% lower crime
Louisville's crime index is 1% lower than Aurora
Louisville
Winner209 (100 = avg)
Aurora
212 (100 = avg)
Louisville's crime index is 209 versus 212 in Aurora (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 1% lower in Louisville. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Louisville, 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
19% more comfortable
Aurora weather is 19% more comfortable than Louisville
Louisville
56°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 75/100
Aurora
Winner61°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 89/100
Louisville averages about 56°F (65°F highs); Aurora averages about 61°F (71°F highs). Louisville averages around 56°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Aurora averages around 61°F. Aurora scores 19% 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 Louisville if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Louisville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 39% cheaper here at about $1,120 a month. Choose Louisville if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Louisville is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 1% lower than Aurora (209 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 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 32% 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.
Bottom line
Aurora runs $1,835/month while Louisville sits at $1,120 — roughly 39% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Aurora-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Louisville rent at $1,120/month is still below Aurora's $1,835, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 56°F in Louisville and 61°F in Aurora.
Between Louisville and Aurora, Louisville is ahead on housing cost — $1,120/month rent against $1,835. Lean Aurora instead when your $88,368 income offer in Aurora outweighs saving $715/month in Louisville.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Louisville when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Louisville and Aurora, plus other cities in KY and CO.
