Arvada CO vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arvada
122,835
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 82.8% | 61.6% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 8.9% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $90,685 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $47,372 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $69,581 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.3% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 8.4% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 40.4% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Virginia Beach
64.9%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 64.9% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 36.5% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.8% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 16.7% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.1% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 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, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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