Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Philadelphia, PA
VS
Westminster, CO
🏆 Westminster leads 16 of 23 categories
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$57,537
Violent Crime Index
239⚠ High
Population
1,593,208 ✓ Larger
Westminster
Colorado
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$90,651 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
115,502
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Philadelphia, PA
Pros
Homes cost $252k less ($215,500 vs $467,200)
Rent averages $482/mo less ($1,250 vs $1,732)
Smaller class sizes — 15.0:1 student-teacher ratio
2% cheaper overall cost of living than Westminster
Cons
Median income trails Westminster by $33,114/yr
Violent crime (908.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4548.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.6% vs 4.1%)
Westminster, CO
Pros
67% less violent crime than Philadelphia
Households earn $33,114 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.5 pts lower (4.1%)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 42.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 42°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $467,200
Higher rents — median is $1,732/mo
Property crime (3540.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 55" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Philadelphia
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 103.5 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Philadelphia
Median Home Value
$252k less
$215,500 vs $467,200
Westminster
Median Income
$33,114
$90,651 vs $57,537/yr
Westminster
Violent Crime
67% lower
303.6 vs 908.7 per 100k
Westminster
Unemployment
4.5 pp lower
4.1% vs 8.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Westminster, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 105.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $215,500 ✓ Lower | $467,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,250 ✓ Lower | $1,732⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,537 | $90,651 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6%⚠ High | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 32.8 min⚠ High | 26.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% | 15.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 230⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 239⚠ High | 80 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 217⚠ High | 169⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B- (95) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 33.6% | 42.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.9% | 92.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Philadelphia City SD | Westminster Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 41.6°F | 48.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 89.3°F | 91.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.7" | 17.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 16.1" ✓ Less | 54.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 1,593,208 ✓ Larger | 115,502 |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.2% | 63.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.5% ✓ More | 19.6% |
| Over 65 | 14.0% | 14.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Philadelphia's cost of living index is 103.5 vs Westminster's 105.5 (US average = 100).
Philadelphia is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Westminster leads 16 of 23 categories. Philadelphia wins 7 and Westminster wins 16. 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 Philadelphia to Westminster or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($215,500 vs $467,200 median home), income ($57,537 vs $90,651), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Philadelphia, PA and Westminster, CO are about 1,578 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.