City comparison
Yes. San Diego's crime index is 106 versus 212 in Aurora, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 248, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Aurora is cheaper. Median rent is $1,835 a month versus $2,313 in San Diego.
Safety is where San Diego and Aurora split most clearly. San Diego scores 106 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $2,313 in San Diego and $1,835 in Aurora.
San Diego is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Aurora makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone San Diego is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Aurora at $1,835 average has pockets that run $1,635 and others at $2,235: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
San Diego and Aurora are 840 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,313 a month in San Diego to $1,835 a month in Aurora, down $478 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $108,077 in San Diego to $88,368 in Aurora, down $19,709 (18%).
The crime index goes from 106 in San Diego to 212 in Aurora, up 106 points (100%).
The move
Aurora and San Diego are 840 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,835 a month in Aurora to $2,313 a month in San Diego, up $478 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $88,368 in Aurora to $108,077 in San Diego, up $19,709 (22%).
The crime index goes from 212 in Aurora to 106 in San Diego, down 106 points (50%).
San Diego, CA
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 San Diego and Aurora? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
21% cheaper
Aurora rent is 21% cheaper than San Diego
San Diego
$2,313/mo
Aurora
Winner$1,835/mo
Typical rent runs $1,835 a month in Aurora versus $2,313 in San Diego, so Aurora is 21% cheaper. That's roughly $478/month back in your pocket ($5,736/year). Over five years that's $28,680 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 San Diego, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Aurora is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in San Diego? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
22% higher
San Diego's median income is 22% higher than Aurora
San Diego
Winner$108,077
Aurora
$88,368
Median household income is $108,077 in San Diego versus $88,368 in Aurora, so typical pay runs 22% higher in San Diego (about $19,709 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, San Diego is the stronger labor market on paper. Aurora can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
50% lower crime
San Diego's crime index is 50% lower than Aurora
San Diego
Winner106 (100 = avg)
Aurora
212 (100 = avg)
San Diego's crime index is 106 versus 212 in Aurora (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 50% lower in San Diego. 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, San Diego 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
12% more comfortable
San Diego weather is 12% more comfortable than Aurora
San Diego
Winner74°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Aurora
61°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 89/100
San Diego averages about 74°F (78°F highs); Aurora averages about 61°F (71°F highs). San Diego sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Aurora averages around 61°F. San Diego scores 12% 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
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 22% higher ($108,077), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 74°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
San Diego is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 50% lower than Aurora (106 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
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Aurora
Aurora is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 21% cheaper here at about $1,835 a month. Choose Aurora if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward San Diego: San Diego scores 58/100 versus 37/100 in Aurora, with typical rent at $2,313 versus $1,835. I would vet the exact ZIP in Aurora before trading 21 safety points for housing savings.
San Diego still pays more locally ($108,077 median income vs $88,368), which can offset the lease if your field pays San Diego rates.
Median income is $108,077 in San Diego versus $88,368 in Aurora.
If safety drives your move, San Diego is the stronger match (58/100 safety versus 37/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Aurora, treat $1,835/month rent and $88,368 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for San Diego and Aurora, plus other cities in CA and CO.
