Aurora CO vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Jersey City
289,691
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Aurora
49.2%
Aurora +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Jersey City
25.7%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 289,691 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 49.2% | 28.7% | Aurora + |
| Black | 15.8% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 25.7% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.8% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 15.6% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $664,939 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 28.8% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Jersey City
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.6% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Jersey City, NJ | 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 +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Aurora +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 40.3 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $464,881. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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