Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arvada, CO
VS
New Haven, CT
🏆 Arvada leads 14 of 22 categories
Arvada
Colorado
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$106,014 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
75 ✓ Safer
Population
123,066
New Haven
Connecticut
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,305
Violent Crime Index
141⚠ High
Population
135,736 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arvada, CO
Pros
Households earn $51,709 more per year on average
47% less violent crime than New Haven
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.0 pts lower (3.8%)
More college-educated — 47.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 38°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $553,000
Higher rents — median is $1,706/mo
Property crime (2478.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 7% higher than New Haven
New Haven, CT
Pros
Homes cost $317k less ($236,500 vs $553,000)
Rent averages $304/mo less ($1,402 vs $1,706)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Arvada
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 88°F
Smaller class sizes — 12.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Arvada by $51,709/yr
Violent crime (534.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3587.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 3.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Arvada
Median Income
$51,709
$106,014 vs $54,305/yr
Arvada
Violent Crime
47% lower
285.6 vs 534.8 per 100k
Arvada
Unemployment
4.0 pp lower
3.8% vs 7.8% unemployment
Arvada
Summer Heat
6.1°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 82.1°F
New Haven
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 98.6 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
New Haven
Median Home Value
$317k less
$236,500 vs $553,000
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arvada, CO | New Haven, CT |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High | 98.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $553,000⚠ High | $236,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,706⚠ High | $1,402⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $106,014 ✓ Higher | $54,305 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 21.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% ✓ Higher | 11.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 92 ✓ Safer | 153⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 141⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) | B+ (107) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 | 12.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.6% ✓ Higher | 38.5% |
| High School or Higher | 95.4% ✓ Higher | 85.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson County School District No. R-1 | New Haven School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.2°F ✓ Warmer | 38.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer | 82.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.9" ✓ Drier | 41.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 54.8" | 33.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 123,066 | 135,736 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.2 ✓ Older | 31.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.2% ✓ Higher | 28.6% |
| Under 18 | 20.1% | 22.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.5% ✓ More | 10.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arvada's cost of living index is 105.5 vs New Haven's 98.6 (US average = 100).
New Haven is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Arvada leads 14 of 22 categories. Arvada wins 14 and New Haven wins 8. 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 New Haven or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($553,000 vs $236,500 median home), income ($106,014 vs $54,305), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arvada, CO and New Haven, CT are about 1,685 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.