Washington DC 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)
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
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
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Washington
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Washington
39.1%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Washington
4.1%
Westminster
4.7%
Westminster +
Hispanic
Washington
11.6%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Washington
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Washington, DC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 672,079 | 115,546 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.5 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 13.3% | 8.2% | Washington + |
| White | 39.1% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 43.3% | 1.2% | Washington + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 4.7% | Westminster + |
| Hispanic | 11.6% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Westminster
$96,145
Per Capita Income
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Westminster
$51,982
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Westminster
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Washington
6.5%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Washington
14.5%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
Westminster
44.0%
| Metric | Washington, DC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $106,287 | $96,145 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $75,253 | $51,982 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $101,182 | $76,653 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.5% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 63.6% | 44.0% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Washington
$580,173
Westminster
$528,447
Westminster +
Homeownership Rate
Washington
41.1%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Washington, DC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,173 | $528,447 | Westminster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.1% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Washington
398
Washington +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Washington
1999
Washington +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Washington, DC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Westminster
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Westminster
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
Westminster
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Washington
24.0%
Westminster
18.7%
Westminster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
Westminster
11.1%
| Metric | Washington, DC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.6% | 27.7% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.8% | 8.4% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 16.1% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 11.1% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 18.7% | Westminster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.1% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Washington
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Washington
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Washington, DC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Washington
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Washington, DC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Washington
32.8 min
Westminster
28.6 min
Westminster +
| Metric | Washington, DC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 28.6 min | Westminster + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while westminster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $528,447. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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