Aurora CO vs Long Beach 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%
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Long Beach
36.8
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
White
Aurora
49.2%
Aurora +
Long Beach
41.6%
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Long Beach
11.9%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 458,491 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.8 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 24.7% | Long Beach + |
| White | 49.2% | 41.6% | Aurora + |
| Black | 15.8% | 11.9% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 12.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 43.4% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Long Beach
$83,969
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
Long Beach
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Long Beach
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $83,969 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $42,370 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.5% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 15.0% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 34.8% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Long Beach
$862,599
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Long Beach
40.9%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $862,599 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 40.9% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Long Beach
503
Long Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Long Beach
2388
Long Beach +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Long Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Long Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Long Beach
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 27.4% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.7% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.5% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.7% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Long Beach
64.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Long Beach
12.3 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Long Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Long Beach, 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 +
Long Beach
32.6 min
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 32.6 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, Long Beach 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, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
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