Aurora CO vs Colorado Springs 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%
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Colorado Springs
35.6
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Colorado Springs
7.4%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 483,099 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.6 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 7.4% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 72.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 15.8% | 5.8% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.0% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 18.7% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $83,198 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $44,893 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,653 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 9.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 41.9% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Colorado Springs
61.3%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $451,202 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 61.3% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Colorado Springs
512
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Colorado Springs
3234
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Colorado Springs, 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%
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Colorado Springs
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 28.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.0% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Colorado Springs, 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
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 24.1 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Colorado Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Colorado Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
Compare More Cities
Aurora, CO vs New York, NYAurora, CO vs Los Angeles, CAAurora, CO vs Chicago, ILAurora, CO vs Houston, TXAurora, CO vs Phoenix, AZAurora, CO vs Philadelphia, PA