Aurora CO vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Columbia
127,200
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Columbia
8.1%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Columbia
12.1%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 127,200 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 8.1% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 74.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 15.8% | 12.1% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 6.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 4.3% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Columbia
$64,488
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $64,488 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $37,359 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,527 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 20.0% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 56.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Columbia
49.4%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $323,876 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 49.4% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Columbia
501
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Columbia
2418
Columbia +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 501 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2418 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Columbia
30.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Aurora +
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 30.1% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.1% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 18.5% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.4% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Columbia
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°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 +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Aurora +
Columbia
55.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbia, MO | 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
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, 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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