Aurora CO vs Boise ID — 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%
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Boise
235,701
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Boise
38.2
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Boise
7.2%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Boise
1.4%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Boise
3.4%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Boise
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 235,701 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.2 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 7.2% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 83.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 15.8% | 1.4% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.4% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 9.5% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Boise
$81,308
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Boise
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $81,308 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $48,274 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $57,074 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 10.6% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 46.6% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Boise
$504,894
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Boise
63.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $504,894 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 63.0% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Boise
251
Boise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 251 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 958 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Boise
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Boise
18.6 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Boise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 20.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $464,881. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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