Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Denver, CO
VS
Fullerton, CA
🏆 Denver leads 12 of 23 categories
Denver
Colorado
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,853
Violent Crime Index
261⚠ High
Population
710,800 ✓ Larger
Fullerton
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$99,279 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
142,280
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Denver, CO
Pros
Homes cost $251k less ($540,400 vs $791,000)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (4.7%)
Rent averages $324/mo less ($1,665 vs $1,989)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 54.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Fullerton
Cons
Violent crime (993.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Fullerton by $13,426/yr
Property crime (4761.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 49" of snow per year
Fullerton, CA
Pros
54% less violent crime than Denver
Households earn $13,426 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 69°F vs 47°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 90°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $791,000
Violent crime (455.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,989/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Denver
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 105.5 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Denver
Median Home Value
$251k less
$540,400 vs $791,000
Denver
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
4.7% vs 6.9% unemployment
Denver
Summer Heat
5.8°F warmer
July avg high 90.2°F vs 84.4°F
Fullerton
Median Income
$13,426
$99,279 vs $85,853/yr
Fullerton
Violent Crime
54% lower
455.3 vs 993.0 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fullerton, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $540,400⚠ High ✓ Lower | $791,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,665⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,989⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,853 | $99,279 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.3 min ✓ Shorter | 30.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 20.9% ✓ Higher | 11.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 247⚠ High | 110⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 261⚠ High | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 227⚠ High | 96 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 25.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 54.2% ✓ Higher | 44.0% |
| High School or Higher | 90.5% ✓ Higher | 89.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | Fullerton Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 46.5°F | 68.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 90.2°F ✓ Warmer | 84.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 15.4" | 11.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 49.0" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 710,800 ✓ Larger | 142,280 |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 51.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 22.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.0% | 13.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Denver's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Fullerton's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Denver is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Denver leads 12 of 23 categories. Denver wins 12 and Fullerton wins 11. 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 Denver to Fullerton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($540,400 vs $791,000 median home), income ($85,853 vs $99,279), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Denver, CO and Fullerton, CA are about 827 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.