Aurora CO vs Cambridge 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%
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Cambridge
117,794
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
White
Aurora
49.2%
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Cambridge
10.5%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Cambridge
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 117,794 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 30.5 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 28.8% | Cambridge + |
| White | 49.2% | 57.5% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 15.8% | 10.5% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 19.7% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 8.9% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Cambridge
12.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $126,469 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $76,789 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $85,405 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 12.4% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 80.2% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Cambridge
33.7%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $1,041,988 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 33.7% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 326 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1086 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Aurora +
Cambridge
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 21.9% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 5.9% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.0% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 3.8% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 18.5% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 7.1% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Cambridge
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Cambridge, 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
Cambridge
28.3 min
Cambridge +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 28.3 min | Cambridge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $464,881. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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