Aurora CO vs Waterbury CT — 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%
Waterbury, CT
Connecticut · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$280,921
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Aurora
49.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 49.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 6.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Aurora +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 40.5% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.1% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.1% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.5% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.2% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Waterbury, CT | 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 +
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Waterbury offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $280,921. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. 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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