City Comparison
Arvada vs Centennial
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Centennial scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Arvada
Centennial
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Centennial is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
33% lower than in Arvada.
| Metric | Arvada | Centennial | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $2,063 | +2% |
| Groceries | $440 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,070 | $2,063 | +49% |
| Cost Index | 106 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Centennial offers 53% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Arvada | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $167,169 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $117,348 | $131,928 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Arvada runs warmer on average — a 52.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Arvada comes out ahead with 285 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Arvada sees 25.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Arvada | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 18.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 25.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 285 | |
| Humidity | 52.00% | 51.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Arvada scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Arvada leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Arvada | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Arvada is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Centennial.
From a growth perspective, Arvada is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Arvada has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Arvada | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,634 | 109,178 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.48% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 42.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Arvada
Advantages
Median household income of $117,348 is significantly higher than the national average
Direct commuter rail connection (G Line) to downtown Denver from Olde Town
Low violent crime rate and highly secure family-oriented neighborhoods
Over 285 sunny days per year supporting an active, outdoor-centric lifestyle
Thriving historic downtown district with local craft breweries, dining, and boutiques
Drawbacks
Median home values exceeding $550,000 create high barriers to entry for first-time buyers
Car-dependent urban design outside of the Olde Town core
Higher-than-average cost of living running roughly 6% above national baselines
Commuter traffic congestion heading into the core Denver metropolitan area during peak hours
Tight housing inventory constraining options for renters and prospective buyers
Centennial
Advantages
Centennial has a very low crime rate, 50% below the national average, making it one of the safest major U.S. cities.
The city boasts a high quality of life, ranked #1 in Colorado by U.S. News & World Report in 2025–2026.
Centennial has a strong job market and a high median household income of $131,928 as of 2024.
The public schools in Centennial are highly rated.
Residents benefit from a shorter average commute time (25.9 minutes) compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Centennial is higher than the national average, particularly for housing.
Average rent in Centennial is higher than the national average.
While public transit exists, the city still exhibits a medium car dependency.
The overall crime grade, while still good, is slightly higher than the average US city according to one source.
Some areas of Centennial have higher violent crime rates than others, particularly the northeast.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Arvada
#201Colorado, USA
63.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
106
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
285/yr
Avg Temp
52.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
81
Business
72
Centennial
#110Colorado, USA
66.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,063
Avg Salary
$167,169
Cost Index
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.48%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
80
Business
0
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