Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arvada, CO
VS
Seattle, WA
🏆 Arvada leads 14 of 23 categories
Arvada
Colorado
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$106,014
Violent Crime Index
75 ✓ Safer
Population
123,066
Seattle
Washington
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$116,068 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
204⚠ High
Population
734,603 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arvada, CO
Pros
Homes cost $327k less ($553,000 vs $879,900)
63% less violent crime than Seattle
Rent averages $239/mo less ($1,706 vs $1,945)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Seattle
Cons
Property crime (2478.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Median income trails Seattle by $10,054/yr
Snowy winters — about 55" of snow per year
Seattle, WA
Pros
More college-educated — 66.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $10,054 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 88°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $879,900
Violent crime (775.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Higher rents — median is $1,945/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Arvada
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 105.5 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Arvada
Violent Crime
63% lower
285.6 vs 775.1 per 100k
Arvada
Median Home Value
$327k less
$553,000 vs $879,900
Arvada
Summer Heat
11.7°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 76.5°F
Seattle
Median Income
$10,054
$116,068 vs $106,014/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Seattle, 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 | $879,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,706⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,945⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $106,014 | $116,068 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 4.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min ✓ Shorter | 27.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% | 27.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 92 ✓ Safer | 218⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 238⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 | 16.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.6% | 66.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.4% | 95.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson County School District No. R-1 | Seattle School District No. 1 |
| 🌤 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 | 38.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 54.8" | 3.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 123,066 | 734,603 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.2 ✓ Older | 35.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.2% ✓ Higher | 44.5% |
| Under 18 | 20.1% ✓ More | 14.0% |
| Over 65 | 17.5% ✓ More | 12.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arvada's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Seattle's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Arvada is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Arvada leads 14 of 23 categories. Arvada wins 14 and Seattle wins 9. 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 Seattle or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($553,000 vs $879,900 median home), income ($106,014 vs $116,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arvada, CO and Seattle, WA are about 1,010 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.