Aurora CO vs San Bernardino 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%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
San Bernardino
221,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
Aurora
49.2%
Aurora +
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
San Bernardino
11.8%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
San Bernardino
4.1%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 221,774 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 49.2% | 27.6% | Aurora + |
| Black | 15.8% | 11.8% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 4.1% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
San Bernardino
$63,988
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
San Bernardino
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
San Bernardino
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $63,988 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $23,980 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.5% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 19.5% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 12.8% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
San Bernardino
$492,059
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
San Bernardino
48.5%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $492,059 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 48.5% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
San Bernardino
503
San Bernardino +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
San Bernardino
2388
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | San Bernardino + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | San Bernardino + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
San Bernardino
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
San Bernardino
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Aurora +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
San Bernardino
15.1%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 37.1% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.6% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.0% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 20.2% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.1% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | San Bernardino, 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
San Bernardino
30.7 min
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 30.7 min | San Bernardino + |
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, San Bernardino is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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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