Aurora CO vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Kansas City
18.6%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Aurora +
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Kansas City
5.3%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 154,776 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 18.6% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 44.0% | Aurora + |
| Black | 15.8% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 5.3% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Kansas City
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Kansas City
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $59,183 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $28,059 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $61,860 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 17.9% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 20.2% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Kansas City
60.4%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 60.4% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 449 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2174 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Kansas City
17.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Aurora +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 41.2% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.6% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.4% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 18.3% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Kansas City
38.1 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 23.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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