Aurora CO vs New Orleans LA — 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%
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
New Orleans
376,035
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Aurora +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Aurora
15.8%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 376,035 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.4 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 6.6% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 31.6% | Aurora + |
| Black | 15.8% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 2.8% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 7.9% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $55,339 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $39,698 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $55,297 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 7.8% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 22.6% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 50.5% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Aurora +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
New Orleans
2824
New Orleans +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 643 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2824 | New Orleans + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
New Orleans
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Aurora +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 34.0% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.1% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.4% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 19.7% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.5% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. 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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