Aurora IL vs Colorado Springs CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Aurora, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Colorado Springs
7.4%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Colorado Springs +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 483,099 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 35.6 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 7.4% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 72.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 2.6% | 5.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 18.7% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $83,198 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $44,893 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,653 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 9.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 41.9% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Colorado Springs
61.3%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $451,202 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 61.3% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Colorado Springs
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Colorado Springs
3234
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 512 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3234 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Colorado Springs
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 28.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.0% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 9.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 49.0°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 16.5 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 24.1 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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