Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arvada, CO
VS
Washington, DC
🏆 Arvada leads 16 of 23 categories
Arvada
Colorado
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$106,014 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
75 ✓ Safer
Population
123,066
Washington
District of Columbia
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$101,722
Violent Crime Index
244⚠ High
Population
670,587 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arvada, CO
Pros
69% less violent crime than Washington
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.3 pts lower (3.8%)
Homes cost $152k less ($553,000 vs $705,000)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Rent averages $111/mo less ($1,706 vs $1,817)
Households earn $4,292 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
Washington, DC
Pros
More college-educated — 62.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Smaller class sizes — 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (925.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $705,000
Property crime (3588.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 3.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Arvada
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 105.5 vs 108.6 (100 = US avg)
Arvada
Median Income
$4,292
$106,014 vs $101,722/yr
Arvada
Violent Crime
69% lower
285.6 vs 925.9 per 100k
Arvada
Median Home Value
$152k less
$553,000 vs $705,000
Arvada
Unemployment
3.3 pp lower
3.8% vs 7.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 108.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $553,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $705,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,706⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,817⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $106,014 ✓ Higher | $101,722 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% | 25.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 92 ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 244⚠ 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) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.6% | 62.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.4% ✓ Higher | 92.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson County School District No. R-1 | District of Columbia Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.2°F ✓ Warmer | 44.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F | 89.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.9" ✓ Drier | 45.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 54.8" | 9.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 123,066 | 670,587 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.2 ✓ Older | 34.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.2% ✓ Higher | 41.4% |
| Under 18 | 20.1% ✓ More | 18.5% |
| Over 65 | 17.5% ✓ More | 12.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arvada's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Washington's 108.6 (US average = 100).
Arvada is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Arvada leads 16 of 23 categories. Arvada wins 16 and Washington wins 7. 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 Washington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($553,000 vs $705,000 median home), income ($106,014 vs $101,722), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arvada, CO and Washington, DC are about 1,498 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.