Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arvada, CO
VS
Santa Clara, CA
🏆 Arvada leads 12 of 23 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
Santa Clara
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$165,352 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
48 ✓ Safer
Population
128,058 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arvada, CO
Pros
Homes cost $887k less ($553,000 vs $1,440,200)
Rent averages $1135/mo less ($1,706 vs $2,841)
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Santa Clara
Smaller class sizes — 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Santa Clara by $59,338/yr
Property crime (2478.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 55" of snow per year
Santa Clara, CA
Pros
Households earn $59,338 more per year on average
36% less violent crime than Arvada
Violent crime is well below the national average (182.0 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 64.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 47°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,440,200
Higher rents — median is $2,841/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.9)
Property crime (2501.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Arvada
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 105.5 vs 112.9 (100 = US avg)
Arvada
Median Home Value
$887k less
$553,000 vs $1,440,200
Arvada
Summer Heat
7.4°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 80.8°F
Santa Clara
Median Income
$59,338
$165,352 vs $106,014/yr
Santa Clara
Violent Crime
36% lower
182.0 vs 285.6 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Santa Clara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $553,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,440,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,706⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,841⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $106,014 | $165,352 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 4.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 23.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% | 21.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 92 | 76 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 119⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) | A- (110) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.6% | 64.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.4% ✓ Higher | 94.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson County School District No. R-1 | Santa Clara Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.2°F | 59.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer | 80.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.9" | 15.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 54.8" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 123,066 | 128,058 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.2 ✓ Older | 34.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.2% ✓ Higher | 41.9% |
| Under 18 | 20.1% ✓ More | 18.0% |
| Over 65 | 17.5% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arvada's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Santa Clara's 112.9 (US average = 100).
Arvada is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Arvada leads 12 of 23 categories. Arvada wins 12 and Santa Clara wins 11. 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 Santa Clara or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($553,000 vs $1,440,200 median home), income ($106,014 vs $165,352), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arvada, CO and Santa Clara, CA are about 923 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.