Aurora CO vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Portland
12.4%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.6 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 12.4% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 15.8% | 5.8% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 11.3% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,691 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 12.8% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $538,687 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 52.8% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Portland
3001
Portland +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3001 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Aurora +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.3% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 17.7% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 78.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Aurora +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Aurora + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $464,881. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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