Aurora CO vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.2 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 11.2% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 15.8% | 4.4% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 2.5% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 26.6% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $78,779 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $39,586 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,120 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 31.5% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $435,670 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Mesa
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Mesa
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 30.7% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.6% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Mesa
11.7 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 11.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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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