Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arvada, CO
VS
Wichita Falls, TX
🏆 Arvada leads 14 of 23 categories
Arvada
Colorado
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$106,014 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
75 ✓ Safer
Population
123,066 ✓ Larger
Wichita Falls
Texas
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
88.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$55,584
Violent Crime Index
92
Population
102,482
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arvada, CO
Pros
Households earn $50,430 more per year on average
18% less violent crime than Wichita Falls
More college-educated — 47.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.6 pts lower (3.8%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 97°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $553,000
Higher rents — median is $1,706/mo
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Wichita Falls
Property crime (2478.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Wichita Falls, TX
Pros
Homes cost $424k less ($128,800 vs $553,000)
Rent averages $757/mo less ($949 vs $1,706)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Arvada
Living costs sit below the national average (index 88.9)
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 47°F
Cons
Median income trails Arvada by $50,430/yr
Property crime (2618.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Arvada
Median Income
$50,430
$106,014 vs $55,584/yr
Arvada
Violent Crime
18% lower
285.6 vs 350.3 per 100k
Arvada
Unemployment
0.6 pp lower
3.8% vs 4.4% unemployment
Wichita Falls
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 88.9 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Wichita Falls
Median Home Value
$424k less
$128,800 vs $553,000
Wichita Falls
Summer Heat
9.0°F warmer
July avg high 97.2°F vs 88.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Wichita Falls, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High | 88.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $553,000⚠ High | $128,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,706⚠ High | $949 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $106,014 ✓ Higher | $55,584 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 4.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 14.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% ✓ Higher | 6.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 92 ✓ Safer | 105⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 92 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 125⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 | 15.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.6% ✓ Higher | 24.2% |
| High School or Higher | 95.4% ✓ Higher | 86.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson County School District No. R-1 | WICHITA FALLS ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.2°F | 54.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F | 97.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.9" ✓ Drier | 27.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 54.8" | 3.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 123,066 ✓ Larger | 102,482 |
| Median Age | 40.2 ✓ Older | 32.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.2% ✓ Higher | 56.3% |
| Under 18 | 20.1% | 22.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.5% ✓ More | 14.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arvada's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Wichita Falls's 88.9 (US average = 100).
Wichita Falls is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Arvada leads 14 of 23 categories. Arvada wins 14 and Wichita Falls 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 Wichita Falls or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($553,000 vs $128,800 median home), income ($106,014 vs $55,584), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arvada, CO and Wichita Falls, TX are about 549 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.