Denver CO vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 75,721 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 62.9% | 48.7% | Denver + |
| Black | 8.8% | 2.2% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 6.8% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Renton
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,120 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Denver +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $765,686 | Denver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 45.2% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Denver +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Denver, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3409 | Denver + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Renton
24.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Renton
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Renton
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 24.0% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 8.5% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.0% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Denver, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 40.1 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while denver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $541,899. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, 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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