Arvada CO vs Baltimore MD — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arvada
122,835
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Baltimore
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Baltimore
27.4%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Arvada +
Baltimore
2.5%
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Baltimore
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Baltimore
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 577,193 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 36.1 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 8.8% | Baltimore + |
| White | 82.8% | 27.4% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 60.0% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.5% | Arvada + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 7.9% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Baltimore
$59,623
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Baltimore
$39,195
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Baltimore
$70,886
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Baltimore
6.6%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Baltimore
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
Baltimore
35.4%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $59,623 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $39,195 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $70,886 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.6% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 20.1% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 35.4% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Baltimore
47.5%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $191,668 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 47.5% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 433 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1724 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Baltimore
38.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Baltimore
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Baltimore
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Arvada +
Baltimore
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
Baltimore
16.1%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 38.1% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 14.4% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.6% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 10.4% | Arvada + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 16.0% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 16.1% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Baltimore
55.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Baltimore
41.9 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Baltimore
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Arvada +
Baltimore
31.6 min
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 31.6 min | Arvada + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Arvada has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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