Aurora CO vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Aurora
49.2%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 114,799 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.5 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 49.2% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 15.8% | 10.8% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 19.3% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $76,205 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $36,138 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 16.0% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 29.9% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $484,226 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 44.0% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.9% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.5% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.1% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Lowell
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lowell, MA | 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
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 30.1 min | Lowell + |
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, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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