Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Buckeye, AZ
VS
Highlands Ranch, CO
🏆 Highlands Ranch leads 12 of 23 categories
Buckeye
Arizona
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$94,188
Violent Crime Index
44
Population
95,042
Highlands Ranch
Colorado
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$148,227 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
101,514 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Buckeye, AZ
Pros
Homes cost $296k less ($341,700 vs $637,400)
Rent averages $756/mo less ($1,597 vs $2,353)
Violent crime is well below the national average (166.8 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 45°F
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Highlands Ranch
Cons
Median income trails Highlands Ranch by $54,039/yr
Higher unemployment (5.0% vs 3.4%)
Longer commutes — 32.5 min average each way
Hot summers — July highs average 107°F
Highlands Ranch, CO
Pros
Households earn $54,039 more per year on average
More college-educated — 65.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
17% less violent crime than Buckeye
Violent crime is well below the national average (138.1 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (3.4%)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $637,400
Higher rents — median is $2,353/mo
Snowy winters — about 64" of snow per year
Cost of living runs 6% higher than Buckeye
Key Differences at a Glance
Buckeye
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 100.0 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Buckeye
Median Home Value
$296k less
$341,700 vs $637,400
Buckeye
Summer Heat
19.2°F warmer
July avg high 106.5°F vs 87.3°F
Highlands Ranch
Median Income
$54,039
$148,227 vs $94,188/yr
Highlands Ranch
Violent Crime
17% lower
138.1 vs 166.8 per 100k
Highlands Ranch
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
3.4% vs 5.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Buckeye, AZ | Highlands Ranch, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.0 ✓ Cheaper | 105.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $341,700⚠ High ✓ Lower | $637,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,597⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,353⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $94,188 | $148,227 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High | 3.4% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 32.5 min⚠ High | 25.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 14.2% | 26.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 41 ✓ Safer | 48 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 44 | 36 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 37 ✓ Safer | 65 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (72) | A- (114) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.2:1 | 17.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.9% | 65.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.2% | 98.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Litchfield Elementary District (4281) | Douglas County School District No. Re 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 66.1°F ✓ Warmer | 44.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 106.5°F ✓ Warmer | 87.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.0" ✓ Drier | 18.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 64.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,042 | 101,514 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 41.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.3% ✓ Higher | 79.4% |
| Under 18 | 28.5% ✓ More | 24.9% |
| Over 65 | 12.9% | 13.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Buckeye's cost of living index is 100.0 vs Highlands Ranch's 105.5 (US average = 100).
Buckeye is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Highlands Ranch leads 12 of 23 categories. Buckeye wins 11 and Highlands Ranch wins 12. 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 Buckeye to Highlands Ranch or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($341,700 vs $637,400 median home), income ($94,188 vs $148,227), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Buckeye, AZ and Highlands Ranch, CO are about 599 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.