Aurora CO vs Lee's Summit MO — 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%
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 102,583 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.6 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 4.2% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 15.8% | 10.2% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.9% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 5.3% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,527 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $313,200 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Lee's Summit
501
Lee's Summit +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Lee's Summit
2418
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 501 | Lee's Summit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2418 | Lee's Summit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Aurora +
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 32.6% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.5% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 18.5% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | 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 +
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Aurora +
Lee's Summit
55.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Aurora + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 26.9 min | Lee's Summit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while lee's Summit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,200. On public safety, Lee's Summit is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Aurora, CO vs New York, NYAurora, CO vs Los Angeles, CAAurora, CO vs Chicago, ILAurora, CO vs Houston, TXAurora, CO vs Phoenix, AZAurora, CO vs Philadelphia, PA