Aurora CO vs Lancaster 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Aurora +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 170,013 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 13.9% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 35.5% | Aurora + |
| Black | 15.8% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 4.0% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $76,083 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $29,766 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 7.1% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 15.5% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 20.1% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Lancaster
58.4%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $466,147 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 58.4% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Lancaster
503
Lancaster +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Lancaster
2388
Lancaster +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Lancaster + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Lancaster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Lancaster
30.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 30.6% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.6% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.3% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.0% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Lancaster
7.4 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lancaster, 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 +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 33.0 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $464,881. On public safety, Lancaster 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, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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