Aurora CO vs Des Moines IA — 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%
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Des Moines
212,464
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Des Moines
14.0%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Des Moines
12.0%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Des Moines
16.0%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 212,464 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 14.0% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 15.8% | 12.0% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 16.0% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Des Moines
$63,966
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Des Moines
$36,459
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Des Moines
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
Des Moines
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Des Moines
14.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $63,966 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $36,459 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $61,226 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.8% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 14.9% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 29.0% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Des Moines
60.5%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 60.5% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Des Moines
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Aurora +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 39.4% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.8% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.0% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 19.8% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.4% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Des Moines
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Des Moines
35.6 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Aurora +
Des Moines
55.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Aurora + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 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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