Performance
Score Breakdown
Aurora
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
3% higher compared to Aurora.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aurora's average rent is
22% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Aurora | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,715 | $1,410 | +22% |
| Groceries | $355 | $493 | -28% |
| Utilities | $355 | $178 | +99% |
| Transport | $88 | $120 | -27% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,513 | $2,451 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 22% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Aurora is estimated at
$41,621 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Aurora | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,855 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $41,621 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,053 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $93,837 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aurora | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 50.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Aurora.
Aurora scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cincinnati leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Aurora | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 43.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 43.0/10 | 49.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aurora is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Cincinnati.
From a growth perspective, Aurora is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Aurora | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 418,218 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Aurora
Advantages
Aurora boasts a diverse and growing population, with a projected 418,218 residents in 2026.
The city is a major healthcare hub, home to the Anschutz Medical Campus and numerous hospitals, providing excellent medical access and employment.
Aurora offers abundant outdoor recreational opportunities with over 97 parks and 5,000 acres of open space and trails.
The average rent in Aurora is generally lower than in neighboring Denver, offering more affordable housing options.
The job market shows good growth, with a 1.71% employment increase in 2024, particularly in healthcare, retail, and construction sectors.
Drawbacks
Aurora has a significantly high crime rate, with an overall crime rate of 7,072 per 100,000 residents in 2024.
The city is largely car-dependent, with a low Walk Score of 43 and limited public transit options in many areas.
The cost of living in Aurora is slightly higher than the national average, with an index of 103.
Assisted living costs in Aurora are higher than both the state and national averages, at approximately $5,014 per month in 2024.
Healthcare costs are 19% higher than the national average, impacting overall affordability.
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Aurora
#64Colorado, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,715
Avg Salary
$61,855
Cost Index
103
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
43.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
65
Business
70
Cincinnati
#49Ohio, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
49.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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