City comparison
No. Aurora's crime index is 212 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 248 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Minneapolis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,371 a month versus $1,835 in Aurora.
Safety is where Minneapolis and Aurora split most clearly. Aurora scores 91 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,371 in Minneapolis and $1,835 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. Minneapolis 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. Minneapolis at $1,371 average has pockets that run $1,171 and others at $1,771: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Minneapolis and Aurora are 692 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,835 a month in Aurora, up $464 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $88,368 in Aurora, up $7,522 (9%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 212 in Aurora, down 91 points (30%).
The move
Aurora and Minneapolis are 692 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,835 a month in Aurora to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, down $464 a month (25%).
Median household income goes from $88,368 in Aurora to $80,846 in Minneapolis, down $7,522 (9%).
The crime index goes from 212 in Aurora to 303 in Minneapolis, up 91 points (43%).
Minneapolis, MN
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 Minneapolis and Aurora? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
25% cheaper
Minneapolis rent is 25% cheaper than Aurora
Minneapolis
Winner$1,371/mo
Aurora
$1,835/mo
Typical rent runs $1,371 a month in Minneapolis versus $1,835 in Aurora, so Minneapolis is 25% cheaper. That's roughly $464/month back in your pocket ($5,568/year). Over five years that's $27,840 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, Minneapolis 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
9% higher
Aurora's median income is 9% higher than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
$80,846
Aurora
Winner$88,368
Median household income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $80,846 in Minneapolis, so typical pay runs 9% higher in Aurora (about $7,522 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
30% lower crime
Aurora's crime index is 30% lower than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Aurora
Winner212 (100 = avg)
Aurora's crime index is 212 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 30% 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. Minneapolis can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
24% more comfortable
Aurora weather is 24% more comfortable than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Aurora
Winner61°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 89/100
Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Aurora averages about 61°F (71°F highs). Minneapolis averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Aurora averages around 61°F. Aurora scores 24% 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 Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis
Minneapolis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 25% cheaper here at about $1,371 a month. Choose Minneapolis 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 9% 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 30% lower than Minneapolis (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
Safety is the widest gap: Aurora scores 37/100 versus 26/100 in Minneapolis. Rent is $1,835/month in Aurora and $1,371/month in Minneapolis, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Aurora still pays more locally ($88,368 median income vs $80,846), which can offset the lease if your field pays Aurora rates.
Weather averages land near 55°F in Minneapolis and 61°F in Aurora.
Aurora is ahead on safety (37/100 vs 26/100); Minneapolis is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,371/month rent plus $80,846 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Minneapolis and Aurora, plus other cities in MN and CO.
