City Comparison
Pueblo vs Centennial
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Centennial scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pueblo
Centennial
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Centennial is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Pueblo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Pueblo's average rent is
35% lower than Centennial's.
| Metric | Pueblo | Centennial | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,339 | $2,063 | -35% |
| Groceries | $400 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,259 | $2,063 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Centennial offers 65% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Pueblo | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $167,169 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $56,664 | $131,928 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Pueblo runs warmer on average — a 56.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Pueblo comes out ahead with 313 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Pueblo sees 16.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Pueblo | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 10.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 313 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 51.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Pueblo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Pueblo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Pueblo | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pueblo is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Centennial 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 | Pueblo | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,404 | 109,178 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.48% |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 42.0 |
| Unemployment | 6.60% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Pueblo
Advantages
Overall cost of living runs approximately 8% below the national average, making it Colorado's most affordable urban center.
Enjoyable climate featuring roughly 313 sunny days per year and mild winter variations.
Abundant outdoor recreation centered around Lake Pueblo State Park for boating, fishing, and hiking.
Rich cultural identity highlighted by local traditions, historic architecture, and the famous annual Chile & Frijoles Festival.
Significantly more accessible housing market with median home values well below state and national norms.
Drawbacks
Property crime rates and overall crime indices remain higher than the national median.
Local average wages and median household incomes trail significantly behind state and national benchmarks.
Economic mobility and job diversification are more limited compared to northern Colorado tech centers.
Summer high temperatures frequently exceed 90°F, requiring robust air conditioning and heat management.
Public transportation options are relatively limited, necessitating regular reliance on personal vehicle ownership.
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.
Pueblo
#559Colorado, USA
47.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,339
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
313/yr
Avg Temp
56.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.60%
Livability
72
Business
65
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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