Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Colorado Springs +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Colorado Springs +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 483,099 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 35.6 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 7.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| White | 82.8% | 72.3% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 5.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 18.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
Colorado Springs
41.9%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $83,198 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $44,893 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,653 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.5% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 9.3% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 41.9% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Colorado Springs
61.3%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $451,202 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 61.3% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Colorado Springs
512
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Colorado Springs
3234
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Colorado Springs, 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%
Arvada +
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Colorado Springs
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Arvada +
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
Colorado Springs
11.0%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 28.4% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.0% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.0% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 9.9% | Arvada + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 16.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.0% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Colorado Springs, 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
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 24.1 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs 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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