Aurora CO vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 118,578 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.5 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 5.7% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 15.8% | 14.9% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.3% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 8.9% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $63,900 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,120 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 16.3% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 46.8% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 42.7% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.1% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.4% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | 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 +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Aurora, CO vs New York, NYAurora, CO vs Los Angeles, CAAurora, CO vs Chicago, ILAurora, CO vs Houston, TXAurora, CO vs Phoenix, AZAurora, CO vs Philadelphia, PA