City Comparison
Loveland vs Centennial
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Centennial scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Loveland
Centennial
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Centennial is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Loveland.
Housing costs are a major driver: Loveland's average rent is
18% lower than Centennial's.
| Metric | Loveland | Centennial | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,700 | $2,063 | -18% |
| Groceries | $420 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,655 | $2,063 | +29% |
| Cost Index | 102 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Centennial offers 59% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Loveland | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $167,169 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $84,604 | $131,928 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Loveland runs warmer on average — a 51°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Loveland comes out ahead with 285 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Loveland sees 27.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Loveland | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 17.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 27.40 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.
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 | Loveland | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Centennial is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Loveland.
From a growth perspective, Loveland is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Centennial has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Loveland | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,387 | 109,178 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.42% | 0.48% |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 42.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
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
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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