Aurora CO vs Elk Grove 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%
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Elk Grove
177,221
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Elk Grove
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Elk Grove
39.0
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
White
Aurora
49.2%
Aurora +
Elk Grove
34.9%
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Elk Grove
10.9%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Elk Grove
18.0%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Elk Grove
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 177,221 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 39.0 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 25.0% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 49.2% | 34.9% | Aurora + |
| Black | 15.8% | 10.9% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 31.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 18.0% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
Elk Grove
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $122,229 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $44,932 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.7% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 7.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 38.0% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Elk Grove
$637,623
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $637,623 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 73.9% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Elk Grove
503
Elk Grove +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Elk Grove
2388
Elk Grove +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Elk Grove + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Elk Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Elk Grove
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 26.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.9% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.9% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 6.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 13.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.1% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Elk Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Elk Grove
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Elk Grove, 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 +
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Elk Grove
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Elk Grove, 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 +
Elk Grove
33.7 min
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 33.7 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $464,881. On public safety, Elk Grove is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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