Aurora CO vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 220,482 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.3 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 12.2% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 15.8% | 10.5% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 13.1% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $83,857 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,120 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 12.0% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $496,966 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 56.5% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Aurora +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3409 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 37.3% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.9% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.7% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Aurora +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 31.1 min | Aurora + |
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, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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