Aurora CO vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Philadelphia
35.1
Tie
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Aurora +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.1 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 14.6% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 36.1% | Aurora + |
| Black | 15.8% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 15.2% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $60,698 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $37,669 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $65,080 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 8.4% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 22.0% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 52.3% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Aurora +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Aurora + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Aurora +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 34.5 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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