Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arvada, CO
VS
Richardson, TX
🏆 Richardson leads 14 of 23 categories
Arvada
Colorado
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$106,014 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
75
Population
123,066 ✓ Larger
Richardson
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$94,362
Violent Crime Index
39 ✓ Safer
Population
118,063
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arvada, CO
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (3.8%)
Households earn $11,652 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 94°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $553,000
Property crime (2478.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 55" of snow per year
Cost of living runs 2% higher than Richardson
Richardson, TX
Pros
49% less violent crime than Arvada
Homes cost $173k less ($379,800 vs $553,000)
Violent crime is well below the national average (146.7 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 55.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 47°F
Cons
Median income trails Arvada by $11,652/yr
Higher unemployment (5.0% vs 3.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Arvada
Median Income
$11,652
$106,014 vs $94,362/yr
Arvada
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
3.8% vs 5.0% unemployment
Richardson
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 103.3 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Richardson
Violent Crime
49% lower
146.7 vs 285.6 per 100k
Richardson
Median Home Value
$173k less
$379,800 vs $553,000
Richardson
Summer Heat
6.1°F warmer
July avg high 94.3°F vs 88.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Richardson, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High | 103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $553,000⚠ High | $379,800⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,706⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,725⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $106,014 ✓ Higher | $94,362 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 23.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% | 19.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 92 | 58 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 | 39 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High | 87 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) | A+ (133) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.6% | 55.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.4% ✓ Higher | 92.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson County School District No. R-1 | RICHARDSON ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.2°F | 55.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F | 94.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.9" ✓ Drier | 40.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 54.8" | 1.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 123,066 ✓ Larger | 118,063 |
| Median Age | 40.2 ✓ Older | 34.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.2% ✓ Higher | 51.6% |
| Under 18 | 20.1% | 21.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.5% ✓ More | 12.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arvada's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Richardson's 103.3 (US average = 100).
Richardson is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Richardson leads 14 of 23 categories. Arvada wins 9 and Richardson wins 14. 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 Richardson or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($553,000 vs $379,800 median home), income ($106,014 vs $94,362), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arvada, CO and Richardson, TX are about 667 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.