City Comparison
Brighton vs Longmont
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Brighton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Brighton
Longmont
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Brighton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Longmont.
| Metric | Brighton | Longmont | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,850 | -5% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,710 | $2,780 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Longmont offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Brighton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Brighton is estimated at
$60,000 vs $62,000 in Longmont.
| Metric | Brighton | Longmont |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,608 idx | 68,571 idx |
| Household Income | $85,000 | $90,671 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Longmont sees 6.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Brighton | Longmont |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.00°F | 50.60°F |
| Summer High | 85.80°F | 84.70°F |
| Winter Low | 20.10°F | 18.40°F |
| Rainfall | 17.10 in | 20.90 in |
| Snowfall | 23.30 in | 29.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 282 | 278 |
| Humidity | 48.00% | 55.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Longmont has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Brighton.
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 | Brighton | Longmont |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Longmont is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Brighton.
From a growth perspective, Brighton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Brighton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Brighton | Longmont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 41,543 | 100,109 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 40.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Brighton
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates offer better affordability compared to downtown Denver and Boulder.
Abundant outdoor recreation options including over 30 city parks and the Adams County Fairgrounds.
Strategic location along I-76 and US-85 provides convenient access to Denver International Airport and the broader metro area.
Strong sense of community highlighted by popular annual local events, farmers markets, and historic downtown revitalization.
Family-friendly neighborhoods with growing educational facilities and youth community programs.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal vehicles leads to significant commuter traffic on major highways during peak hours.
Rapid regional growth has placed upward pressure on housing costs and infrastructure development.
Limited high-end nightlife and entertainment options directly within city limits compared to central Denver.
Weather variability with occasional heavy spring snowstorms and dry summer conditions affecting local landscaping.
Public transit coverage is limited outside of commuter bus lines and major arterial corridors.
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.
Brighton
#155Colorado, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
282/yr
Avg Temp
53.00°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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