Aurora CO vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Aurora
49.2%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 102,866 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 8.9% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 15.8% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.7% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 17.3% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $52,512 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $29,511 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,697 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.0% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 22.6% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 29.4% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 58.8% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 39.7% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.2% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.3% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 18.2% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Aurora +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Aurora + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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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