Aurora CO vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Wichita
4.9%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.7 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 10.0% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 15.8% | 9.7% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 4.9% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 18.4% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $63,072 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $35,958 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $61,860 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.7% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 15.9% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 30.9% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 58.4% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 449 | Wichita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 39.5% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.6% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.7% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.3% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Wichita is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 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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