Aurora CO vs Boulder CO — 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%
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Boulder
106,274
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Boulder
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Boulder
10.2%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Boulder
1.1%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Boulder
5.8%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Boulder
11.2%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Boulder
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 106,274 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 28.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 10.2% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 81.8% | Boulder + |
| Black | 15.8% | 1.1% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 5.8% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 11.2% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Boulder
$76,653
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
Boulder
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Boulder
21.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $85,364 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $59,450 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,653 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.1% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 21.8% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 76.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Boulder
$970,905
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Boulder
47.9%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $970,905 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 47.9% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Boulder
512
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Boulder
3234
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 512 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3234 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Boulder
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Aurora +
Boulder
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 16.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.9% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.6% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 19.8% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Boulder
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Boulder
20.7 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 20.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Boulder
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 21.0 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $464,881. On public safety, Boulder is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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