City Comparison
Arvada vs Parker
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Parker scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Arvada
Parker
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Parker is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Arvada.
| Metric | Arvada | Parker | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $2,050 | +2% |
| Groceries | $440 | $420 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $130 | -12% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,070 | $3,020 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Parker offers 11% lower 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 $75,000 in Parker.
| Metric | Arvada | Parker |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $88,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,585 idx | 72,131 idx |
| Household Income | $117,348 | $133,369 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Parker sees 3.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Arvada | Parker |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.90°F | 51.80°F |
| Summer High | 87.00°F | 83.10°F |
| Winter Low | 19.30°F | 20.50°F |
| Rainfall | 18.30 in | 18.20 in |
| Snowfall | 25.10 in | 28.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 285 | 280 |
| Humidity | 52.00% | 45.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Parker scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Parker leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Arvada | Parker |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Arvada is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Parker.
From a growth perspective, Parker is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Parker has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Arvada | Parker |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,634 | 65,473 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 2.45% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 36.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.00% |
| 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
Parker
Advantages
Median household income stands at an affluent $133,369 per year, significantly outperforming the national average.
Consistently maintains low crime rates, ranking as one of the safest communities of its size in Colorado.
Features over 1,000 acres of developed park land and extensive connectivity to the Cherry Creek regional trail network.
More than 56% of adult residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, fostering a highly educated community.
Home to AdventHealth Parker, providing high-quality acute healthcare and specialized services locally.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and housing expenses run substantially higher than the U.S. national average.
High degree of car dependency with limited public mass transit options for daily work commuters.
Competitive real estate market places homeownership out of reach for many median-income earners.
Commuting to downtown Denver or the Tech Center during peak hours can result in significant highway congestion.
Limited dense urban nightlife or late-night entertainment options within town limits.
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
Parker
#124Colorado, USA
66.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,050
Avg Salary
$88,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
280/yr
Avg Temp
51.80°F
Pop. Growth
2.45%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
83
Business
75
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