Aurora CO vs San Diego 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 Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Aurora
49.2%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
San Diego
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.0 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 49.2% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 15.8% | 5.7% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 29.6% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.9% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $1,006,261 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 47.6% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
San Diego
503
San Diego +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
San Diego
2388
San Diego +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | San Diego + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | San Diego + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.9% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
San Diego
12.3 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | San Diego, 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 Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $464,881. On public safety, San Diego 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, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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