City comparison
No. Aurora's crime index is 212 versus 495 in Memphis, and its violent crime index is 248 versus 629, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Memphis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,181 a month versus $1,835 in Aurora.
The income gap between Memphis and Aurora is significant: $51,736 median household versus $88,368. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,181 in Memphis and $1,835 in Aurora.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Memphis 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. Memphis at $1,181 average has pockets that run $981 and others at $1,581: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Memphis and Aurora are 869 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,181 a month in Memphis to $1,835 a month in Aurora, up $654 a month (55%).
Median household income goes from $51,736 in Memphis to $88,368 in Aurora, up $36,632 (71%).
The crime index goes from 495 in Memphis to 212 in Aurora, down 283 points (57%).
The move
Aurora and Memphis are 869 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,835 a month in Aurora to $1,181 a month in Memphis, down $654 a month (36%).
Median household income goes from $88,368 in Aurora to $51,736 in Memphis, down $36,632 (41%).
The crime index goes from 212 in Aurora to 495 in Memphis, up 283 points (133%).
Memphis, TN
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 Memphis and Aurora? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
36% cheaper
Memphis rent is 36% cheaper than Aurora
Memphis
Winner$1,181/mo
Aurora
$1,835/mo
Typical rent runs $1,181 a month in Memphis versus $1,835 in Aurora, so Memphis is 36% cheaper. That's roughly $654/month back in your pocket ($7,848/year). Over five years that's $39,240 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, Memphis is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Memphis? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
71% higher
Aurora's median income is 71% higher than Memphis
Memphis
$51,736
Aurora
Winner$88,368
Median household income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $51,736 in Memphis, so typical pay runs 71% higher in Aurora (about $36,632 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. Memphis can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
57% lower crime
Aurora's crime index is 57% lower than Memphis
Memphis
495 (100 = avg)
Aurora
Winner212 (100 = avg)
Aurora's crime index is 212 versus 495 in Memphis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 57% 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. Memphis can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
33% more comfortable
Memphis weather is 33% more comfortable than Aurora
Memphis
Winner69°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
Aurora
56°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 75/100
Memphis averages about 69°F (80°F highs); Aurora averages about 56°F (65°F highs). Memphis sits near 69°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Aurora averages around 56°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Memphis scores 33% 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
Memphis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 36% cheaper here at about $1,181 a month. Choose Memphis if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Memphis if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (69°F) beat Aurora on this page's weather index by 33%. Aurora may pay more or cost less, but Memphis is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Aurora is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 71% higher here ($88,368). Start with Aurora if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Aurora is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 57% lower than Memphis (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
Crime and safety tilt toward Aurora: Aurora scores 37/100 versus 11/100 in Memphis, with typical rent at $1,835 versus $1,181. I would vet the exact ZIP in Memphis before trading 26 safety points for housing savings.
Aurora still pays more locally ($88,368 median income vs $51,736), which can offset the lease if your field pays Aurora rates.
Median income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $51,736 in Memphis.
Aurora clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Memphis deserves a serious look only when you already know the Memphis block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Memphis and Aurora, plus other cities in TN and CO.
