Denver 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.5 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 62.9% | 61.8% | Denver + |
| Black | 8.8% | 6.6% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 8.2% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,120 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Denver +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $871,599 | Denver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 44.3% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Denver +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3409 | Denver + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Seattle
22.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Seattle
19.0%
Seattle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 22.2% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 19.0% | Seattle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 37.5 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Seattle, 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
Denver +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 28.8 min | Denver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while denver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $541,899. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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