Aurora CO vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 26,509 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.7 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 7.1% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 15.8% | 3.6% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 5.2% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 3.9% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Rochester
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $69,467 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 36.4% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 28.3 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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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