Seattle WA 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)
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
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
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Seattle
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Seattle
61.8%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Seattle
8.2%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Seattle
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 115,546 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| White | 61.8% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 6.6% | 1.2% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 17.2% | 4.7% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 8.2% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Westminster
$96,145
Per Capita Income
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Westminster
$51,982
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Seattle
$76,120
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Seattle
4.2%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Seattle
9.9%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
Westminster
44.0%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,984 | $96,145 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,508 | $51,982 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 67.5% | 44.0% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Seattle
$871,599
Westminster
$528,447
Westminster +
Homeownership Rate
Seattle
44.3%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $871,599 | $528,447 | Westminster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
3409
Westminster
3234
Westminster +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 512 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3234 | Westminster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Westminster
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Westminster
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
Westminster
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Seattle
19.0%
Westminster
18.7%
Westminster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
Westminster
11.1%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 27.7% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 8.4% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 16.1% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 11.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 18.7% | Westminster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 11.1% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
52.6°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
37.5 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Seattle
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Seattle
28.8 min
Westminster
28.6 min
Westminster +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 28.6 min | Westminster + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while westminster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $528,447. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 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, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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