Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arvada, CO
VS
Concord, CA
🏆 Arvada leads 18 of 23 categories
Arvada
Colorado
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$106,014
Violent Crime Index
75 ✓ Safer
Population
123,066
Concord
California
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$107,789 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
128⚠ High
Population
125,007 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arvada, CO
Pros
41% less violent crime than Concord
Homes cost $154k less ($553,000 vs $706,700)
Rent averages $431/mo less ($1,706 vs $2,137)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (3.8%)
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Concord
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cons
Property crime (2478.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 55" of snow per year
Concord, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 47°F
Cons
Violent crime (484.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $706,700
Higher rents — median is $2,137/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Key Differences at a Glance
Arvada
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 105.5 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Arvada
Violent Crime
41% lower
285.6 vs 484.6 per 100k
Arvada
Median Home Value
$154k less
$553,000 vs $706,700
Arvada
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
3.8% vs 4.9% unemployment
Concord
Median Income
$1,775
$107,789 vs $106,014/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Concord, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $553,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $706,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,706⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,137⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $106,014 | $107,789 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 4.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min ✓ Shorter | 33.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% ✓ Higher | 13.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 92 ✓ Safer | 131⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 128⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 137⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) ✓ Better | B- (92) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.6% ✓ Higher | 36.7% |
| High School or Higher | 95.4% ✓ Higher | 88.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson County School District No. R-1 | Mt. Diablo Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.2°F | 57.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer | 88.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.9" ✓ Drier | 18.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 54.8" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 123,066 | 125,007 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.2 ✓ Older | 38.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.2% ✓ Higher | 61.1% |
| Under 18 | 20.1% | 20.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.5% ✓ More | 15.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arvada's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Concord's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Arvada is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Arvada leads 18 of 23 categories. Arvada wins 18 and Concord wins 5. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Arvada to Concord or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($553,000 vs $706,700 median home), income ($106,014 vs $107,789), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arvada, CO and Concord, CA are about 914 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.