City Comparison
Westminster vs Centennial
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Centennial scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Westminster
Centennial
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Centennial is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Westminster.
Housing costs are a major driver: Westminster's average rent is
10% lower than Centennial's.
| Metric | Westminster | Centennial | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,854 | $2,063 | -10% |
| Groceries | $400 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,784 | $2,063 | +35% |
| Cost Index | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Centennial offers 53% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Westminster | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $167,169 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $100,272 | $131,928 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Westminster runs warmer on average — a 52.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Westminster comes out ahead with 285 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Westminster sees 25.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Westminster | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 18.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 25.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 285 | |
| Humidity | 52.00% | 51.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Westminster scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Westminster leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Westminster | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Westminster is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Centennial.
From a growth perspective, Centennial is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Westminster has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Westminster | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,182 | 109,178 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.48% |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 42.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Westminster
Advantages
Median household income stands at a robust $100,272 per year, outperforming the national average.
Proximity to both Denver and Boulder provides residents with immense career mobility and diverse employment hubs.
Over 300 miles of scenic trails and open space preserves support an active, health-conscious lifestyle.
Violent crime rates remain low compared to major urban centers, ensuring a secure environment for families.
An educated local workforce with over 42% holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
Drawbacks
Housing and rental costs run higher than the national median, creating affordability hurdles for first-time buyers.
Traffic congestion along major arteries like U.S. 36 can lead to extended peak-hour commute times.
Property values have experienced high historical appreciation, increasing entry barriers for prospective homeowners.
Suburban sprawl in certain sections can reduce walkability, making car dependency nearly essential for daily errands.
Winters can bring sudden, heavy snowfall requiring diligent municipal snow removal and property upkeep.
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.
Westminster
#213Colorado, USA
63.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,854
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
285/yr
Avg Temp
52.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
79
Business
74
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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