Aurora CO vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Orem
10.5%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Orem
30.6%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 86,973 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 10.5% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 15.8% | 1.9% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.6% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 30.6% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Orem
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $70,053 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $33,579 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $60,713 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 12.7% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 25.6% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Orem
60.9%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $509,396 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 60.9% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Orem
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 30.3% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Orem
13.3 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
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, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, 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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