Aurora CO vs El Monte CA — 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%
El Monte, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$768,251
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
El Monte
107,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
El Monte
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
El Monte
38.1
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
El Monte
49.7%
El Monte +
White
Aurora
49.2%
Aurora +
El Monte
13.7%
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
El Monte
0.6%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
El Monte
29.3%
El Monte +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
El Monte
65.1%
El Monte +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
El Monte
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | El Monte, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 107,066 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.1 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 49.7% | El Monte + |
| White | 49.2% | 13.7% | Aurora + |
| Black | 15.8% | 0.6% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 29.3% | El Monte + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 65.1% | El Monte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
El Monte
$64,484
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
El Monte
$24,356
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
El Monte
$77,230
El Monte +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
El Monte
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
El Monte
17.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
El Monte
14.7%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | El Monte, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $64,484 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $24,356 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | El Monte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.4% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 17.2% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 14.7% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
El Monte
$768,251
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
El Monte
40.1%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | El Monte, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $768,251 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 40.1% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
El Monte
503
El Monte +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
El Monte
2388
El Monte +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | El Monte, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | El Monte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | El Monte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
El Monte
26.3%
El Monte +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
El Monte
15.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
El Monte
17.0%
El Monte +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Aurora +
El Monte
18.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
El Monte
12.9%
El Monte +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
El Monte
13.7%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | El Monte, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 26.3% | El Monte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.9% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.0% | El Monte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.7% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 12.9% | El Monte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.7% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
El Monte
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
El Monte
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | El Monte, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
El Monte
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
El Monte
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | El Monte, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Aurora +
El Monte
31.6 min
| Metric | Aurora, CO | El Monte, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 31.6 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Housing costs differ substantially: the median home in El Monte costs $768,251, which is 65% more expensive than Aurora's median of $464,881. In Aurora, a median home costs 5.5× the annual household income, compared to 11.9× in El Monte. On public safety, El Monte is 2% safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in the other city. Economically, Aurora has an edge with a lower unemployment rate of 5.7% and a higher median household income of $84,320. For quality of life, Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 6.2 µg/m³), and El Monte has a lower obesity rate (26.3%). If you prioritize affordable housing, Aurora offers 39% lower home prices while maintaining comparable income levels — making it a strong value proposition for buyers and renters alike.
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