Aurora Named One of the Best Places to Live in 2025!

Turns out, the secret’s out (again): Aurora, Colorado, has landed on Livability magazine's list of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S. for 2025! That’s right, we’re back on the national stage, and we didn’t even have to bribe anyone with craft beer or tacos (though we definitely considered it).

So, what makes Aurora one of the best places to live? Glad you asked. Livability evaluated nearly 100 data points across eight key categories: economy, housing and cost of living, amenities, transportation, environment, safety, education, and health. Read the report here. 

A City That Actually Gets Diversity

Aurora isn’t just diverse, it’s deliciously, colorfully, proudly diverse. We’ve got more than 400 locally-owned restaurants representing cuisines from all over the globe. You can try Burmese tea leaf salad, Ethiopian injera, and Korean BBQ… all before lunch. If Aurora had a passport, it’d be full.

Big Job Energy

With major employers like the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Buckley Space Force Base, and Children’s Hospital Colorado, this city is more than just a pretty face. Our job market is strong, especially if you’re into saving lives, launching satellites, or innovating in health care. We’re basically the overachievers in your friend group, and we love it.

Affordable and Awesome

While bigger cities' housing prices keep climbing like a kid on a sugar high, Aurora offers a more affordable cost of living without skimping on quality of life. That means more budget for breweries, brunch, and backyard upgrades. Who says you can’t have your avocado toast and a mortgage, too?

Parks, Peaks, and Playgrounds

Aurora is basically a playground for grown-ups (and kids, too, of course). With more than 100 parks, hundreds of miles of trails, and outdoor gems like Aurora Reservoir, Cherry Creek State Park, and the Plains Conservation Center, you can hike, bike, kayak, fish, and picnic your heart out, all with a view that looks suspiciously like a desktop wallpaper.

The Arts Are Alive! (And Far From Boring)

Think culture in Aurora is all museums and lectures? Think again. We’ve got everything from indie theatre and public art to lively cultural festivals and unexpected creative spaces. Come for the murals, stay for a great show, concert, or brunch at a local speakeasy.

In Conclusion, Aurora = Awesome

Aurora’s return to Livability’s Top 100 list is no fluke, it’s a result of everything our city stands for: opportunity, inclusivity, adventure, and just the right amount of quirk. Whether you’re a long-time resident or new to the neighborhood, it’s pretty clear: Aurora isn’t just a place to live, it’s a place to love.

So here’s to another year on the list and another excuse to brag... just a little.