Denver 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Virginia Beach
457,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Denver
8.8%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 457,066 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.4 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 9.1% | Denver + |
| White | 62.9% | 61.6% | Denver + |
| Black | 8.8% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 8.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $90,685 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $47,372 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $69,581 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 40.4% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Denver, 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
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 36.5% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 11.8% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.7% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.1% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 Denver. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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