Aurora, CO vs Santa Maria, 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 Maria
63.3
#1783 nationally
Santa Maria leads in walk score (52 vs 33). Aurora leads in cost of living index (108 vs 138). Santa Maria leads in average commute (22.1 min vs 28.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Santa Maria, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 65 (#1656) | 63.3 (#1783) |
| Population | 394,934 | 109,987 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $458,582 | $668,983 |
| Median Household Income | $72,342 | $81,237 |
| Average Commute | 28.1 min | 22.1 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 52 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 18.1 |
| School Rating | 5.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 138 |
| 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 →
D
63.3 Score
Santa Maria, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$668,983
Population
109,987
Crime
High
Walk Score
52
Pacific
View Santa Maria, CA →
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