Aurora CO vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 82,506 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 48.4 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 12.9% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 15.8% | 8.8% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.7% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 14.4% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Lakeland
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Lakeland
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $60,465 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $36,322 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $65,328 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 12.0% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 26.8% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Lakeland
61.1%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 61.1% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Aurora +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 38.9% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.3% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.3% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.4% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.1% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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