Aurora, CO, known as 'The Gateway to the Rockies,' offers a unique blend of natural beauty and urban amenities. Located in central Colorado, Aurora is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Denver and Centennial enhance its status as a central point in the region. Aurora's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Aurora is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Aurora History Museum, the Plains Conservation Center, and the scenic Cherry Creek State Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Aurora Reservoir to the bustling Southlands lifestyle center, known for its shopping and dining. Aurora's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from local Colorado cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Global Fest and the Aurora Arts Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Aurora's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Aurora is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Aurora Fox Arts Center and the Vintage Theatre are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Aurora provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Aurora’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Colorado Rapids (MLS) and is near the Denver Broncos (NFL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Aurora include healthcare, education, and aerospace, with significant employers such as Raytheon and Children's Hospital Colorado driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and light rail, making commuting convenient and accessible.
Commute
High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.
Employment
The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Ratings
Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.
Crime
This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.
Schools
Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.
Located in the state of Colorado, Aurora is a highly populated city with a population of 379,434 inhabitants. More than a quarter of the residents of Aurora identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 20% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Aurora entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 30 minutes.
Living in Aurora can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the area. Having said that, in the state of Colorado, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. The best areas in Aurora and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, health & safety, education, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Colorado and national averages.
Using data and statistics Aurora has received a livability score of 76 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 90th percentile when compared to all other cities. Compared to the national average, Aurora ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Aurora has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Aurora ranks very well for amenities (B-), education (B-), employment (B+) and housing (A+). Unfortunately for Aurora, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: crime (F).
Living in Aurora offers many benefits and offers an extensive array of local amenities. These amenities play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in this vibrant community. From readily accessible grocery stores to charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and generously spaced parks, Aurora provides a wide spectrum of resources for its residents. This ensures that your daily requirements are effortlessly met and creates abundant opportunities for leisure and recreation. The abundant local offerings contribute to the area's overall appeal, making it an attractive destination for those seeking convenience, variety and a fulfilling lifestyle. If you're considering a move, the wealth of local amenities continues could be a defining feature of this remarkable locale. Among the enticing options for fun and exploration in Aurora are: Cherry Creek State Park, Paint Horse Stables, and Aurora History Museum.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Aurora apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Aurora is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Aurora come in at $322,200, which is 21.8% higher than the Colorado average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Aurora, the home price to income ratio is 4.8, which is 14.3% higher than the Colorado average.
| Statistic | Aurora | Colorado | National |
| Average one way commute | 30min | 25min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 74.1% | 75.2% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.8% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 4.3% | 3.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 1.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.6% | 3.0% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 7.9% | 7.0% | 4.6% |
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