Aurora CO vs Modesto 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Modesto
218,614
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Modesto
18.7%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 218,614 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.4 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 18.7% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 50.8% | Modesto + |
| Black | 15.8% | 4.7% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Modesto
$77,899
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Modesto
13.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $77,899 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $34,656 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 7.3% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 13.0% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 20.3% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Modesto
58.4%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $447,353 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 58.4% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Modesto
503
Modesto +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Modesto
2388
Modesto +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Modesto + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Modesto + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 36.2% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.1% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.0% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.5% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.7% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Modesto
13.1 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Modesto, 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
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 30.5 min | Modesto + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Modesto 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, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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