Aurora CO vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 94,723 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.9 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 10.3% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 15.8% | 0.8% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.5% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 11.3% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $60,713 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $672,082 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Sandy, UT | 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 +
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Sandy, 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
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $464,881. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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