City Comparison
Arvada vs Loveland
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Loveland scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Arvada
Loveland
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Loveland is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Arvada.
Housing costs are a major driver: Arvada's average rent is
24% higher than Loveland's.
| Metric | Arvada | Loveland | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $1,700 | +24% |
| Groceries | $440 | $420 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $115 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,070 | $2,655 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 102 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Arvada offers 15% 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 $58,000 in Loveland.
| Metric | Arvada | Loveland |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,585 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $117,348 | $84,604 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Loveland sees 2.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Arvada | Loveland |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.90°F | 51.00°F |
| Summer High | 87.00°F | 83.80°F |
| Winter Low | 19.30°F | 17.40°F |
| Rainfall | 18.30 in | 17.20 in |
| Snowfall | 25.10 in | 27.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 285 | 285 |
| Humidity | 52.00% | 52.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Loveland scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Loveland leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Arvada | Loveland |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Arvada is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Loveland.
From a growth perspective, Loveland 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 | Loveland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,634 | 81,387 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.42% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 40.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.30% |
| 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
Loveland
Advantages
Median home sale prices in Loveland sit roughly $100,000 below neighboring Larimer County peaks, offering better relative value per square foot.
Abundant access to public art, highlighted by the world-famous Benson Sculpture Garden and cultural events.
Proximity to premier outdoor destinations including Boyd Lake State Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.
A revitalized downtown district anchored by The Foundry, featuring local dining, craft breweries, and entertainment.
Strong local job growth across manufacturing, healthcare, and trade sectors supported by the I-25 corridor economy.
Drawbacks
Housing affordability has tightened significantly following rapid regional appreciation over recent years.
High car dependency limits practical car-free commuting and public transit utility outside peak corridors.
Winter weather brings occasional heavy snowfall and sub-freezing temperatures requiring winterized infrastructure.
Proximity to major metropolitan job centers can result in heavy commuter traffic during peak hours along I-25.
Limited high-end nightlife or late-night entertainment options compared to larger urban centers like 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
Loveland
#183Colorado, USA
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,700
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
285/yr
Avg Temp
51.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.42%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
77
Business
72
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