Arvada CO vs Boulder CO — 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%
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arvada
122,835
Arvada +
Boulder
106,274
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Boulder
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Boulder
81.8%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Boulder
1.1%
Boulder +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Boulder
11.2%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Boulder
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 106,274 | Arvada + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 28.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 10.2% | Boulder + |
| White | 82.8% | 81.8% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 1.1% | Boulder + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.8% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 11.2% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Boulder
$85,364
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Boulder
$76,653
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Boulder
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Boulder
21.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $85,364 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $59,450 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,653 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.1% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 21.8% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 76.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Arvada +
Boulder
$970,905
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Boulder
47.9%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $970,905 | Arvada + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 47.9% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Boulder
512
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Boulder
3234
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 512 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3234 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Boulder
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Arvada +
Boulder
8.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Boulder
19.8%
Boulder +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 16.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 17.9% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.6% | Arvada + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 19.8% | Boulder + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 9.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Boulder
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Boulder
20.7 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 20.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Boulder
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 21.0 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while arvada offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $617,536. On public safety, Boulder is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Arvada has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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