Arvada CO vs Denver 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arvada
122,835
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Denver
62.9%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 35.2 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 13.9% | Denver + |
| White | 82.8% | 62.9% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 8.8% | Denver + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.6% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Denver
$91,681
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Denver
$76,653
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Denver
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Denver
11.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $91,681 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,653 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.6% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 11.2% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Denver
$541,899
Denver +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Denver
49.1%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $541,899 | Denver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 49.1% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Denver
512
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Denver
3234
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Denver, 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%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Denver
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Arvada +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Arvada +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 15.5% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 13.3% | Arvada + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 25.9% | Arvada + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Denver
17.2 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Denver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Denver, 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
Denver
27.4 min
Denver +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 27.4 min | Denver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while denver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $541,899. On public safety, Denver 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 Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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