City comparison
No. Aurora's crime index is 212 versus 261 in Philadelphia, and its violent crime index is 248 versus 252, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Philadelphia is cheaper. Median rent is $1,397 a month versus $1,835 in Aurora.
The income gap between Philadelphia and Aurora is significant: $61,953 median household versus $88,368. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,397 in Philadelphia 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. Philadelphia 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. Philadelphia at $1,397 average has pockets that run $1,197 and others at $1,797: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Philadelphia and Aurora are 1,567 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $1,835 a month in Aurora, up $438 a month (31%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $88,368 in Aurora, up $26,415 (43%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 212 in Aurora, down 49 points (19%).
The move
Aurora and Philadelphia are 1,567 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,835 a month in Aurora to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, down $438 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $88,368 in Aurora to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $26,415 (30%).
The crime index goes from 212 in Aurora to 261 in Philadelphia, up 49 points (23%).
Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia and Aurora? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
24% cheaper
Philadelphia rent is 24% cheaper than Aurora
Philadelphia
Winner$1,397/mo
Aurora
$1,835/mo
Typical rent runs $1,397 a month in Philadelphia versus $1,835 in Aurora, so Philadelphia is 24% cheaper. That's roughly $438/month back in your pocket ($5,256/year). Over five years that's $26,280 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, Philadelphia 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
43% higher
Aurora's median income is 43% higher than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$61,953
Aurora
Winner$88,368
Median household income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 43% higher in Aurora (about $26,415 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. Philadelphia can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
19% lower crime
Aurora's crime index is 19% lower than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
261 (100 = avg)
Aurora
Winner212 (100 = avg)
Aurora's crime index is 212 versus 261 in Philadelphia (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 19% 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. Philadelphia can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
29% more comfortable
Aurora weather is 29% more comfortable than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
54°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 69/100
Aurora
Winner61°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 89/100
Philadelphia averages about 54°F (61°F highs); Aurora averages about 61°F (71°F highs). Philadelphia averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Aurora averages around 61°F. Aurora scores 29% 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 24% cheaper here at about $1,397 a month. Choose Philadelphia 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 43% 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 19% lower than Philadelphia (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
Philadelphia is cheaper on rent ($1,397/month vs $1,835), but Aurora's $88,368 median income beats Philadelphia's $61,953 by 30%. Remote workers paid on Aurora scales can make that trade; local-market earners often cannot.
Aurora still pays more locally ($88,368 median income vs $61,953), which can offset the lease if your field pays Aurora rates.
Safety scores read 31/100 in Philadelphia and 37/100 in Aurora.
Between Philadelphia and Aurora, Aurora is ahead on local pay — $88,368 median income against $61,953. Lean Philadelphia instead when keeping rent near $1,397/month beats chasing $88,368 median income.
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 Philadelphia and Aurora, plus other cities in PA and CO.
