Aurora CO vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 203,888 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 15.4% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 15.8% | 2.7% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 5.3% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 20.8% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $74,925 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $60,713 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 13.4% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $580,126 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 46.8% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 29.5% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.2% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $464,881. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, 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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