City comparison
Yes. Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 212 in Aurora, and its violent crime index is 128 versus 248, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Raleigh is cheaper. Median rent is $1,572 a month versus $1,835 in Aurora.
Safety is where Raleigh and Aurora split most clearly. Raleigh scores 70 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,572 in Raleigh and $1,835 in Aurora.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Raleigh 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 crime gap is citywide. Raleigh has rougher pockets and Aurora has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Raleigh and Aurora are 1,451 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $1,835 a month in Aurora, up $263 a month (17%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $88,368 in Aurora, up $2,973 (3%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 212 in Aurora, up 70 points (49%).
The move
Aurora and Raleigh are 1,451 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,835 a month in Aurora to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, down $263 a month (14%).
Median household income goes from $88,368 in Aurora to $85,395 in Raleigh, down $2,973 (3%).
The crime index goes from 212 in Aurora to 142 in Raleigh, down 70 points (33%).
Raleigh, NC
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 Raleigh and Aurora? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
14% cheaper
Raleigh rent is 14% cheaper than Aurora
Raleigh
Winner$1,572/mo
Aurora
$1,835/mo
Typical rent runs $1,572 a month in Raleigh versus $1,835 in Aurora, so Raleigh is 14% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,156, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Raleigh still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Aurora.
Planning to buy in Raleigh? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
3% higher
Aurora's median income is 3% higher than Raleigh
Raleigh
$85,395
Aurora
Winner$88,368
Median household income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $85,395 in Raleigh, so typical pay runs 3% higher in Aurora (about $2,973 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
33% lower crime
Raleigh's crime index is 33% lower than Aurora
Raleigh
Winner142 (100 = avg)
Aurora
212 (100 = avg)
Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 212 in Aurora (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 33% lower in Raleigh. 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, Raleigh 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
3% more comfortable
Aurora weather is 3% more comfortable than Raleigh
Raleigh
60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Aurora
Winner61°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 89/100
Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs); Aurora averages about 61°F (71°F highs). Raleigh averages around 60°F. Aurora averages around 61°F. Aurora scores 3% 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 Raleigh 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
Raleigh is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 14% cheaper here at about $1,572 a month. Choose Raleigh if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Raleigh is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 33% lower than Aurora (142 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 3% 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
Crime and safety tilt toward Raleigh: Raleigh scores 49/100 versus 37/100 in Aurora, with typical rent at $1,572 versus $1,835. I would vet the exact ZIP in Aurora before trading 12 safety points for housing savings.
Aurora still pays more locally ($88,368 median income vs $85,395), which can offset the lease if your field pays Aurora rates.
Median income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $85,395 in Raleigh.
Pick Raleigh when you want the stronger safety signal (49/100). Otherwise, Aurora's case rests on a Aurora ZIP you trust at $1,835 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Raleigh when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Raleigh and Aurora, plus other cities in NC and CO.
