Denver CO vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Denver
62.9%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Westminster
4.7%
Westminster +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Westminster
23.7%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 115,546 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.5 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 8.2% | Denver + |
| White | 62.9% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 8.8% | 1.2% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 4.7% | Westminster + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 23.7% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Westminster
$51,982
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Westminster
$76,653
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Westminster
44.0%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $51,982 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,653 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 44.0% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Westminster
$528,447
Westminster +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $528,447 | Westminster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Westminster
512
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Westminster
3234
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 512 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3234 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Westminster
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Westminster
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Westminster
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Westminster
18.7%
Westminster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Westminster
11.1%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 27.7% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 8.4% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.1% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 18.7% | Westminster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.1% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Denver +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Denver, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 28.6 min | Denver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, while westminster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $528,447. On public safety, Westminster is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster 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%.
Compare More Cities
Denver, CO vs New York, NYDenver, CO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Denver, CODenver, CO vs Houston, TXDenver, CO vs Phoenix, AZDenver, CO vs Philadelphia, PA