Aurora CO vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 19.0% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 15.8% | 7.8% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.9% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $77,041 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $40,309 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,120 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 14.3% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 32.3% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 57.1% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Aurora +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 32.3% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.8% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.3% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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