Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Greeley, CO
VS
Highlands Ranch, CO
🏆 Highlands Ranch leads 15 of 23 categories
Greeley
Colorado
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$65,525
Violent Crime Index
177⚠ High
Population
107,949 ✓ Larger
Highlands Ranch
Colorado
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$148,227 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
101,514
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Greeley, CO
Pros
Rent averages $1145/mo less ($1,208 vs $2,353)
Homes cost $291k less ($346,400 vs $637,400)
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Highlands Ranch
Cons
Median income trails Highlands Ranch by $82,702/yr
Violent crime (670.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3019.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.6% vs 3.4%)
Highlands Ranch, CO
Pros
Households earn $82,702 more per year on average
79% less violent crime than Greeley
More college-educated — 65.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (3.4%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (138.1 vs 380/100k)
Cons
Higher rents — median is $2,353/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $637,400
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Greeley
Snowy winters — about 64" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Greeley
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 96.0 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Greeley
Median Home Value
$291k less
$346,400 vs $637,400
Greeley
Summer Heat
4.4°F warmer
July avg high 91.7°F vs 87.3°F
Highlands Ranch
Median Income
$82,702
$148,227 vs $65,525/yr
Highlands Ranch
Violent Crime
79% lower
138.1 vs 670.7 per 100k
Highlands Ranch
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
3.4% vs 5.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Greeley, CO | Highlands Ranch, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 96.0 ✓ Cheaper | 105.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $346,400⚠ High ✓ Lower | $637,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,208 ✓ Lower | $2,353⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,525 | $148,227 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High | 3.4% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.9 min ✓ Shorter | 25.1 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.4% | 26.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 163⚠ High | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 177⚠ High | 36 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 144⚠ High | 65 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | A- (114) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.5:1 | 17.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.8% | 65.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 98.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | GreeleySchool District No. 6 in the county of Weld and Sta | Douglas County School District No. Re 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 44.1°F | 44.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 91.7°F ✓ Warmer | 87.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 14.4" ✓ Drier | 18.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 34.9" ✓ Less | 64.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 107,949 ✓ Larger | 101,514 |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 41.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 79.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.1% | 24.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.1% | 13.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Greeley's cost of living index is 96.0 vs Highlands Ranch's 105.5 (US average = 100).
Greeley is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Highlands Ranch leads 15 of 23 categories. Greeley wins 8 and Highlands Ranch wins 15. 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 Greeley to Highlands Ranch or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($346,400 vs $637,400 median home), income ($65,525 vs $148,227), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Greeley, CO and Highlands Ranch, CO are about 61 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.