Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arvada, CO
VS
Kirkland, WA
🏆 Arvada leads 12 of 22 categories
Arvada
Colorado
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$106,014
Violent Crime Index
75
Population
123,066 ✓ Larger
Kirkland
Washington
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$135,608 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
16 ✓ Safer
Population
92,015
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arvada, CO
Pros
Homes cost $385k less ($553,000 vs $937,700)
Rent averages $544/mo less ($1,706 vs $2,250)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (3.8%)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Kirkland
Cons
Median income trails Kirkland by $29,594/yr
Property crime (2478.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 55" of snow per year
Kirkland, WA
Pros
79% less violent crime than Arvada
Households earn $29,594 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (60.6 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 62.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 88°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $937,700
Higher rents — median is $2,250/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Higher unemployment (4.7% vs 3.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Arvada
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 105.5 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Arvada
Median Home Value
$385k less
$553,000 vs $937,700
Arvada
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
3.8% vs 4.7% unemployment
Arvada
Summer Heat
11.7°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 76.5°F
Kirkland
Median Income
$29,594
$135,608 vs $106,014/yr
Kirkland
Violent Crime
79% lower
60.6 vs 285.6 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Kirkland, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $553,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $937,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,706⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,250⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $106,014 | $135,608 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 4.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 25.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% | 24.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 92 | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 | 16 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High | 96 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.6% | 62.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.4% | 96.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson County School District No. R-1 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.2°F | 47.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer | 76.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.9" ✓ Drier | 37.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 54.8" | 3.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 123,066 ✓ Larger | 92,015 |
| Median Age | 40.2 ✓ Older | 38.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.2% ✓ Higher | 62.1% |
| Under 18 | 20.1% ✓ More | 20.0% |
| Over 65 | 17.5% ✓ More | 14.1% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arvada's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Kirkland's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Arvada is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Arvada leads 12 of 22 categories. Arvada wins 12 and Kirkland wins 10. 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 Kirkland or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($553,000 vs $937,700 median home), income ($106,014 vs $135,608), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arvada, CO and Kirkland, WA are about 1,006 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.