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Denver vs Aurora: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

Denver is 7% more expensive than Aurora. Aurora is 44% safer. Denver population: 740,613. Aurora population: 410,053.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingAurora
SafetyAurora
HousingAurora

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: Denver vs Aurora

Aurora is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 122 vs 130 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 8 index points.

CategoryDenverAurora
Overall Index130122
Housing$3,471/moIndex: 195$3,115/moIndex: 175
Groceries$431/moIndex: 105$426/moIndex: 104
Transportation$378/moIndex: 108$371/moIndex: 106
Healthcare$336/moIndex: 105$336/moIndex: 105
Utilities$198/moIndex: 90$198/moIndex: 90

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: Denver vs Aurora

Aurora is 44% safer overall, with a crime rate of 24.4 per 1,000 residents vs Denver's 43.5. Aurora earns a C+ safety grade compared to Denver's F. Based on 2023 FBI data.

F

Denver

Colorado

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate43.5/1K
TrendStable
C+

Aurora

Colorado

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate24.4/1K
TrendStable
MetricDenverAurora
Overall Crime Rate43.5/1K24.4/1K
Violent Crime Rate550.0421.8
Property Crime Rate3800.02017.0
Murder Rate8.66.1
Assault Rate429.0284.7
Robbery Rate99.887.9
Burglary Rate593.2214.6
Theft Rate3293.71264.9
Vehicle Theft Rate888.1182.8

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In Denver, you have a 1 in 23 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 41 in Aurora.

Climate Comparison

Climate data is only available for Denver. A full comparison requires both cities.

Denver Climate Overview

Annual High65.3°F
Annual Low36.1°F
Annual Rain15.5"
Annual Snow43.0"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthNovember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Denver cheaper than Aurora?
Aurora is 7% more affordable than Denver, with a cost of living index of 122 vs 130 (100 = national average). Housing is the biggest difference, at $3,471/mo in Denver vs $3,115/mo in Aurora.
Is Denver safer than Aurora?
Aurora is 44% safer overall, with a crime rate of 24.4 per 1,000 residents vs Denver's 43.5. Aurora earns a C+ safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Should I move to Denver or Aurora?
It depends on your priorities. Aurora is safer (C+ grade). Aurora is more affordable (index 122 vs 130). Denver has a population of 740,613 and Aurora has 410,053. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is Denver compared to Aurora?
Denver has a population of 740,613 and Aurora has 410,053. Denver is 81% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in Denver or Aurora?
Housing is cheaper in Aurora. Estimated monthly housing costs: Denver $3,471/mo vs Aurora $3,115/mo. That's based on a housing index of 195 vs 175 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

F
Denver Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
C+
Aurora Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

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