Aurora CO vs Columbus OH — 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%
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Columbus
14.4%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Columbus
5.8%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Columbus
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 906,480 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 14.4% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 53.3% | Columbus + |
| Black | 15.8% | 29.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 5.8% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 7.9% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Columbus
$65,327
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Columbus
$37,189
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Columbus
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Columbus
17.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $65,327 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $37,189 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,300 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.1% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 17.8% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 38.2% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Columbus
44.3%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $248,749 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 44.3% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 319 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1866 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Columbus
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Columbus
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Columbus
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Aurora +
Columbus
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Columbus
15.2%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 34.7% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.8% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.8% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.7% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 18.1% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.2% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Columbus
40.2 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 40.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Aurora +
Columbus
55.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Aurora + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 23.4 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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%.
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