Aurora CO vs Cary NC — 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%
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Cary
176,686
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
White
Aurora
49.2%
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Cary
7.6%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Cary
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 176,686 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 39.8 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 23.7% | Cary + |
| White | 49.2% | 60.1% | Cary + |
| Black | 15.8% | 7.6% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 9.3% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Cary
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,120 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $629,864 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Cary
398
Cary +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Cary
1999
Cary +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 398 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1999 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 25.3% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.6% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 6.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.3% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 7.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Cary
59.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Cary
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 24.3 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $464,881. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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