City Comparison
Arvada vs Longmont
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Arvada scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Arvada
Longmont
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Longmont is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Arvada.
Housing costs are a major driver: Arvada's average rent is
14% higher than Longmont's.
| Metric | Arvada | Longmont | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $1,850 | +14% |
| Groceries | $440 | $400 | +10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $110 | +5% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,070 | $2,780 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Arvada offers 8% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Arvada delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Arvada is estimated at
$65,000 vs $62,000 in Longmont.
| Metric | Arvada | Longmont |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,585 idx | 68,571 idx |
| Household Income | $117,348 | $90,671 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Longmont sees 4.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Arvada | Longmont |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.90°F | 50.60°F |
| Summer High | 87.00°F | 84.70°F |
| Winter Low | 19.30°F | 18.40°F |
| Rainfall | 18.30 in | 20.90 in |
| Snowfall | 25.10 in | 29.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 285 | 278 |
| Humidity | 52.00% | 55.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Longmont scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Longmont leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Arvada | Longmont |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Arvada is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Longmont.
From a growth perspective, Longmont 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 | Longmont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,634 | 100,109 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 40.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.10% |
| 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
Longmont
Advantages
Median home prices and rent values remain noticeably more affordable than in nearby Boulder per regional housing data.
Extensive citywide gigabit broadband infrastructure (NextLight) supports robust remote work and tech enterprise.
Proximity to the Rocky Mountains provides world-class outdoor recreation within a 50-minute drive.
High concentration of advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and healthcare jobs bolstering career opportunities.
Top-tier local education via the St. Vrain Valley School District with exceptional graduation rates.
Drawbacks
Housing costs run roughly 5% to 10% above the national average, placing pressure on lower-income households.
Rental vacancy rates remain tight, impacting immediate housing availability for newcomers.
Car dependency is relatively high for daily errands outside of the immediate downtown core.
Occasional heavy winter snowstorms and variable Front Range weather require proactive commuting precautions.
Modest traffic bottlenecks during peak commuting hours along primary corridors connecting to Boulder and Denver.
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
Longmont
#217Colorado, USA
63.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
278/yr
Avg Temp
50.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
78
Business
75
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