Denver CO vs Kailua HI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Kailua, HI
Hawaii · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,530,716
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Denver
713,734
Kailua
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Kailua
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Kailua
N/A
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Kailua
N/A
White
Denver
62.9%
Kailua
N/A
Black
Denver
8.8%
Kailua
N/A
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Kailua
N/A
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Kailua
N/A
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 62.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 8.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Kailua
N/A
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Kailua
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Kailua
$63,296
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Kailua
N/A
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Kailua
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,296 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Denver +
Kailua
$1,530,716
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $1,530,716 | Denver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Kailua
276
Kailua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Kailua
2592
Kailua +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 276 | Kailua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2592 | Kailua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Kailua
26.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Kailua
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Kailua
15.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Kailua
3.7%
Kailua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Kailua
18.3%
Kailua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Kailua
14.9%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 26.5% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 9.8% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 15.8% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 3.7% | Kailua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 18.3% | Kailua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 14.9% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Kailua
69.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
Kailua
107.9 in
| Metric | Denver, CO | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 107.9 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Kailua
3.3 µg/m³
Kailua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Kailua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 3.3 µg/m³ | Kailua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $541,899. On public safety, Kailua is safer with a violent crime rate of 276 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Kailua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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