Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 115,546 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 37.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 8.2% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 21.6% | 1.2% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 4.7% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Westminster
44.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 44.0% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $528,447 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 512 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3234 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Gainesville +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 18.7% | Gainesville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 28.6 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Westminster. 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, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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