Why People Move to Aurora
Aurora is Colorado's third-largest city with over 386,000 residents, stretching across three counties (Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas). It offers something increasingly rare along the Front Range: genuine diversity, relative affordability compared to Denver proper, and access to both urban amenities and open space.
Aurora isn't a bedroom community — it's a full city with its own identity, employment centers, parks system, and cultural institutions. Families, military-connected households (Buckley Space Force Base), healthcare workers (University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus), and young professionals all find their place here.
Housing Market Overview
Aurora's housing market is one of the most accessible in the Denver metro:
Buying
- Median home price: ~$450,000 (significantly below Denver's ~$575,000)
- Townhomes/condos: $280,000–$420,000
- Single-family homes (3-4 bed): $400,000–$600,000
- Newer builds (Southlands/Murphy Creek area): $500,000–$750,000
Renting
- 1-bedroom apartment: $1,200–$1,600/month
- 2-bedroom apartment: $1,500–$2,000/month
- 3-bedroom house: $2,000–$2,800/month
Aurora's housing diversity is a major draw — you can find everything from established 1970s-80s neighborhoods near the Original Aurora district to brand-new construction near E-470.
School Districts
Aurora is served by three school districts, which is unusual and important to understand:
1. Cherry Creek School District (CCSD) — Covers southeast Aurora. One of the top-rated districts in Colorado. Highly sought-after.
2. Aurora Public Schools (APS) — Covers central and north Aurora. More diverse, improving academically, strong community programs.
3. Brighton School District 27J — Covers far northeast Aurora/Green Valley Ranch area.
Critical tip: Your neighborhood determines your school district. Families prioritizing schools should verify district boundaries before choosing a home.
Key Neighborhoods
Aurora's neighborhoods vary dramatically in character and price:
- Southlands area: Newer construction, shopping center, suburban feel. Cherry Creek schools. Popular with families.
- Murphy Creek: Master-planned golf community. Newer homes, strong HOA maintenance.
- Saddle Rock: Established family neighborhood. Cherry Creek schools. Mature landscaping.
- Original Aurora/Del Mar Parkway corridor: Older, more affordable, diverse. APS district. Urban feel.
- Stapleton/Central Park adjacent: Northwest Aurora neighborhoods benefit from proximity to Denver's popular Central Park area.
- Green Valley Ranch: Newer development near DIA. More affordable entry point.
For details, see our [Best Neighborhoods in Aurora guide](/co/aurora/guides/best-neighborhoods-aurora-families).
Commuting and Transportation
Aurora has genuine transportation advantages:
- RTD Light Rail: The R-Line runs through Aurora connecting to downtown Denver. Stations at Iliff, Nine Mile, Florida, and others.
- I-225: North-south corridor through central Aurora
- E-470: Eastern beltway connecting to DIA and south metro
- Anschutz Medical Campus: Major employer accessible by rail and bus
- Buckley Space Force Base: Central Aurora location
- DIA: 20-30 minutes from most Aurora neighborhoods
Commute times:
- Downtown Denver: 25-40 minutes depending on neighborhood
- Denver Tech Center: 15-25 minutes
- DIA: 20-30 minutes
- Colorado Springs: 70-80 minutes
Cost of Living Advantage
Aurora's biggest selling point is value:
| Category | Aurora | Denver | Colorado Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 20% below Denver | Baseline | 5% above |
| Groceries | At average | 5% above | Baseline |
| Utilities | At average | At average | Baseline |
| Transportation | At average | At average | Baseline |
For a detailed breakdown, see our [Cost of Living guide](/co/aurora/guides/cost-of-living-in-aurora).
What to Know Before You Move
1. Verify your school district — This is the #1 factor that catches families off guard
2. Aurora is BIG — It stretches 20+ miles east to west. Location within Aurora matters enormously
3. Diversity is real — Aurora is Colorado's most diverse city. Over 160 languages are spoken. The food scene reflects this.
4. Military community — Buckley SFB creates a significant military population. This affects housing demand and community character.
5. Healthcare hub — The Anschutz Medical Campus (UCHealth, Children's Hospital Colorado) is a major employer and asset
6. Weather is the same as Denver — Same altitude, same 300 days of sunshine, same winter storms
Your First Month Checklist
1. Set up utilities — Xcel Energy (gas/electric), Aurora Water
2. Register for schools — Contact CCSD, APS, or 27J depending on address
3. Get a library card — Arapahoe Libraries or Aurora Public Library
4. Explore your neighborhood trails — Aurora has 100+ miles of trails
5. Visit the Aurora Reservoir — Swimming, sailing, and fishing (resident passes available)
6. Check out Havana Street — Aurora's international food corridor
Explore more: [Cost of Living](/co/aurora/guides/cost-of-living-in-aurora) | [Family Guide](/co/aurora/guides/aurora-for-families) | [Seasonal Guide](/co/aurora/guides/seasonal-living-in-aurora)