Vancouver 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)
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Vancouver
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Vancouver
37.5
Westminster
37.5
Tie
Foreign Born
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Vancouver
70.6%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Vancouver
3.1%
Vancouver +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Vancouver
17.2%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Vancouver
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,696 | 115,546 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.5 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 8.2% | Vancouver + |
| White | 70.6% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 3.1% | 1.2% | Vancouver + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.7% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 17.2% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Vancouver
$78,156
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Vancouver
$42,839
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Vancouver
$76,120
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Vancouver
5.6%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Vancouver
11.1%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Vancouver
31.5%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,156 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,839 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Vancouver
$510,577
Vancouver +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Vancouver
49.9%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,577 | $528,447 | Vancouver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.9% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Vancouver
3409
Westminster
3234
Westminster +
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 512 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3234 | Westminster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Vancouver
36.2%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Vancouver
9.9%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Vancouver
19.1%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Vancouver
11.7%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.7% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Vancouver
52.1°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Vancouver
41.6 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Vancouver
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Vancouver, 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
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 28.6 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, while vancouver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,577. On public safety, Vancouver 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, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Vancouver, WALos Angeles, CA vs Vancouver, WAChicago, IL vs Vancouver, WAHouston, TX vs Vancouver, WAPhoenix, AZ vs Vancouver, WAPhiladelphia, PA vs Vancouver, WA