Aurora CO vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Aurora
49.2%
Aurora +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 161,993 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 49.2% | 21.8% | Aurora + |
| Black | 15.8% | 1.4% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 5.7% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $28,813 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 14.2% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 15.5% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $751,711 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 47.0% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Salinas
503
Salinas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Salinas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Aurora +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 32.8% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.4% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.2% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 22.4% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.9% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $464,881. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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