Aurora CO vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Minneapolis
14.1%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 14.1% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 15.8% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 5.2% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 10.5% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Minneapolis
$80,269
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Minneapolis
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $80,269 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $69,467 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 16.4% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 48.0% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Aurora +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 19.8% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.7% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Minneapolis
30.6 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 30.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 24.2 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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