Aurora Named One of the Best Cities to Move To In America
Published on December 19, 2025
City of Aurora Named One of the Best Cities to Move to in America, Per MRI Software’s Move-In-Magnet Index
The City of Aurora was named the second-best city in America to move to, according to new data from MRI Software’s Move-In-Magnet Index.
By analyzing job opportunities, cost of living, and safety data, the report crowns Aurora second in the country due to the City's job availability, cost of living, and overall safety. Per the index, Aurora has 68,433 jobs available, serving as the most among the top 10 cities listed, plus recorded a 57.27 cost of living score and an impressive 73.29 safety score.
“This year’s Index shows a clear shift toward smaller, safer, and more affordable cities,” says Cederick Johnson of MRI Software. “Places like Nashua, Dover, and Aurora are thriving because they offer more than economic opportunity; they deliver a lifestyle balance that major metros can’t match.”
Aurora finished in second place to Nashua, New Hampshire. Cleveland, Ohio, Dover, Delaware, and Salt Lake City, Utah, round out the top five cities listed in the report.
“Aurora is a vibrant, diverse city with a reputable education system where all are welcome,” Mayor John Laesch said. “We are honored to receive this distinction, and I will continue to work hard to make Aurora a more affordable place for working families to call home.”
The Move-In-Magnet Index combines employment opportunities, cost of living and safety, along with population normalization. Indeed job listings were used to measure the number of active roles per city, with job availability weighted by city populations to ensure a fair comparison between smaller and larger cities. Numbeo indices provided detailed cost of living and safety scores for each city, encompassing housing, transport, and service expenses, in addition to general security and perceived risk. City population and density statistics were also included to solidify fair comparison and accurate weighting across all metrics.