Aurora CO vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Aurora
49.2%
Aurora +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 49.2% | 35.5% | Aurora + |
| Black | 15.8% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $62,894 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.7% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 19.7% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 42.0% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Houston
442
Houston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Houston
2339
Houston +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Aurora +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 38.0% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.9% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 24.0% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.6% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Aurora +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Aurora + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 29.6 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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