Aurora CO vs Billings MT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Aurora, CO
Colorado · Population: 390,201
- Median HH Income$84,320
- Median Home Price$464,881
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
Billings, MT
Montana · Population: 118,321
- Median HH Income$71,855
- Median Home Price$398,212
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+37.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Billings
118,321
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Billings
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Billings
38.1
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Billings
2.0%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Billings
1.0%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Billings
0.9%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Billings
7.2%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Billings
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 118,321 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.1 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 2.0% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 86.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 15.8% | 1.0% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 0.9% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 7.2% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Billings
$71,855
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Billings
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $71,855 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $42,639 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $62,117 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 10.6% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 37.0% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $398,212 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 64.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Billings
433
Billings +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Billings
1984
Billings +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 433 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1984 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Billings
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Billings
9.5%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Billings
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Aurora +
Billings
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Billings
14.1%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 33.9% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.5% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.0% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.4% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 20.0% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.1% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Billings
47.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Billings
14.8 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Billings
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 18.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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