Aurora CO vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Sunnyvale
35.1
Tie
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Aurora
49.2%
Aurora +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 153,455 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.1 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 49.2% | 30.4% | Aurora + |
| Black | 15.8% | 1.5% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 16.7% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $2,144,024 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 43.8% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Sunnyvale
503
Sunnyvale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Sunnyvale
2388
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Sunnyvale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Sunnyvale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Sunnyvale, 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 +
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Sunnyvale, 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
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 25.3 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $464,881. On public safety, Sunnyvale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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