Arvada CO vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arvada
122,835
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 82.8% | 36.1% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 15.2% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $60,698 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $37,669 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $65,080 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 8.4% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 22.0% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 34.6% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 52.3% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Arvada +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Arvada + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Arvada +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 34.5 min | Arvada + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
Compare More Cities
Arvada, CO vs New York, NYArvada, CO vs Los Angeles, CAArvada, CO vs Chicago, ILArvada, CO vs Houston, TXArvada, CO vs Phoenix, AZArvada, CO vs San Antonio, TX