Arvada CO vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arvada
122,835
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 82.8% | 61.8% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 8.2% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,120 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.2% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 9.9% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Arvada +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $871,599 | Arvada + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 44.3% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Arvada +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3409 | Arvada + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Seattle
19.0%
Seattle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 15.3% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 19.0% | Seattle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Arvada +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 28.8 min | Arvada + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while arvada offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $617,536. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 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, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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