Aurora CO vs Columbia SC — 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, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Columbia
138,019
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Columbia
2.7%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 138,019 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 5.1% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 49.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 15.8% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 2.7% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 5.7% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Columbia
$38,087
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $55,653 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $38,087 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $54,550 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 7.6% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 23.3% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Columbia
47.3%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 47.3% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 398 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1999 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Columbia
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Columbia
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Aurora +
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Columbia
13.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 34.4% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.1% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.2% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.2% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 17.7% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.0% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.7°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
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 18.6 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 $229,993. On public safety, Columbia 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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