Aurora CO vs Charleston WV — 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%
Charleston, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Charleston
47,918
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Charleston
42.6
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Charleston
3.9%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Charleston
11.8%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Charleston
2.7%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Charleston
1.9%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 47,918 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 42.6 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 3.9% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 76.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 15.8% | 11.8% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 2.7% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 1.9% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Charleston
$64,512
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Charleston
$50,163
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
Charleston
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Charleston
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $64,512 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $45,967 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $50,163 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.3% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 16.5% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 44.1% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Charleston
62.7%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $164,532 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 62.7% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 398 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1999 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Charleston
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Charleston
15.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Charleston
20.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Charleston
17.7%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 40.2% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.6% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.2% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 7.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.3% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 17.7% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Charleston
53.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Charleston
46.2 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Aurora +
Charleston
55.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Aurora + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 19.2 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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