Aurora, CO vs Santa Barbara, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Aurora
65
#1656 nationally
Santa Barbara
59.8
#1944 nationally
Aurora leads in cost of living index (108 vs 225). Santa Barbara leads in walk score (61 vs 33). Santa Barbara leads in average commute (17.6 min vs 28.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Santa Barbara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 65 (#1656) | 59.8 (#1944) |
| Population | 394,934 | 86,499 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $458,582 | $1,848,325 |
| Median Household Income | $72,342 | $98,346 |
| Average Commute | 28.1 min | 17.6 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 61 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 17.8 |
| School Rating | 5.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 225 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+20.1 | D+26.7 |
D
65 Score
Aurora, CO
Denver's diverse neighbor
Median Home
$458,582
Population
394,934
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
West
View Aurora, CO →
F
59.8 Score
Santa Barbara, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,848,325
Population
86,499
Crime
High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View Santa Barbara, CA →
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