Aurora CO vs Boston MA — 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%
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Boston
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
White
Aurora
49.2%
Aurora +
Boston
47.8%
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Boston
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Boston
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 663,972 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.2 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 27.5% | Boston + |
| White | 49.2% | 47.8% | Aurora + |
| Black | 15.8% | 21.5% | Boston + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 10.0% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 18.9% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
Boston
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Boston
16.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $94,755 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $60,001 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $85,405 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.0% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 16.9% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 54.1% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Boston
$793,154
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Boston
35.4%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $793,154 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 35.4% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Boston
326
Boston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Boston
1086
Boston +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 326 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1086 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Boston
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Aurora +
Boston
20.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 23.4% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.6% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.0% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 6.3% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 20.7% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.7% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Boston
51.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Boston
43.8 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Boston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Aurora +
Boston
33.1 min
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 33.1 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $464,881. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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