Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arvada, CO
VS
Stamford, CT
🏆 Arvada leads 15 of 23 categories
Arvada
Colorado
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$106,014 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
75
Population
123,066
Stamford
Connecticut
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$100,718
Violent Crime Index
41 ✓ Safer
Population
135,413 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arvada, CO
Pros
Rent averages $423/mo less ($1,706 vs $2,129)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (3.8%)
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 38°F
Homes cost $32k less ($553,000 vs $584,700)
Households earn $5,296 more per year on average
Cons
Property crime (2478.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 55" of snow per year
Stamford, CT
Pros
45% less violent crime than Arvada
Violent crime is well below the national average (157.5 vs 380/100k)
Smaller class sizes — 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Higher rents — median is $2,129/mo
Higher unemployment (5.5% vs 3.8%)
Pricier housing — median home is $584,700
Median income trails Arvada by $5,296/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Arvada
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 105.5 vs 106.5 (100 = US avg)
Arvada
Median Income
$5,296
$106,014 vs $100,718/yr
Arvada
Median Home Value
$32k less
$553,000 vs $584,700
Arvada
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
3.8% vs 5.5% unemployment
Arvada
Summer Heat
3.4°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 84.8°F
Stamford
Violent Crime
45% lower
157.5 vs 285.6 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Stamford, CT |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 106.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $553,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $584,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,706⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,129⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $106,014 ✓ Higher | $100,718 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min ✓ Shorter | 27.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% ✓ Higher | 14.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 92 | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 | 41 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High | 58 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) | A (120) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.6% | 50.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.4% ✓ Higher | 88.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson County School District No. R-1 | Stamford School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.2°F ✓ Warmer | 38.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer | 84.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.9" ✓ Drier | 50.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 54.8" | 34.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 123,066 | 135,413 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.2 ✓ Older | 37.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.2% ✓ Higher | 46.0% |
| Under 18 | 20.1% ✓ More | 19.2% |
| Over 65 | 17.5% ✓ More | 15.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arvada's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Stamford's 106.5 (US average = 100).
Arvada is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Arvada leads 15 of 23 categories. Arvada wins 15 and Stamford 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 Stamford or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($553,000 vs $584,700 median home), income ($106,014 vs $100,718), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arvada, CO and Stamford, CT are about 1,655 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.