Chandler AZ 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)
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Chandler
278,123
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
Denver
13.9%
White
Chandler
62.6%
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Denver
3.6%
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 35.2 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 13.9% | Chandler + |
| White | 62.6% | 62.9% | Denver + |
| Black | 5.2% | 8.8% | Denver + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 3.6% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Denver
$91,681
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Denver
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Denver
11.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,691 | $91,681 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,746 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.6% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 11.2% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
Chandler +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
Denver
49.1%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $524,013 | $541,899 | Chandler + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 49.1% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
Chandler +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Chandler +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 512 | Chandler + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3234 | Chandler + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
28.2%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
Denver
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
Chandler +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
Chandler +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
Denver
10.2%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.2% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.1% | 15.5% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.3% | Chandler + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 25.9% | Chandler + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.2% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Denver
17.2 in
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | 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.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
Denver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chandler
26.1 min
Chandler +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 27.4 min | Chandler + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, while chandler offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $524,013. On public safety, Chandler is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Chandler has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, 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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