City Comparison
Parker vs Denver
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Parker scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Parker
Denver
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Denver is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Parker.
| Metric | Parker | Denver | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,050 | $1,975 | +4% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $90 | +44% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $3,020 | $2,865 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 106 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Parker offers 9% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Denver delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Parker is estimated at
$75,000 vs $65,000 in Denver.
| Metric | Parker | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $88,000 | $81,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,131 idx | 76,415 idx |
| Household Income | $133,369 | $94,718 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Parker sees 6.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Parker | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.80°F | 53.20°F |
| Summer High | 83.10°F | 87.50°F |
| Winter Low | 20.50°F | 19.40°F |
| Rainfall | 18.20 in | 16.90 in |
| Snowfall | 28.80 in | 22.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 280 | 285 |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 45.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Denver scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Denver leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Parker | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Denver is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x 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 | Parker | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 65,473 | 740,613 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.45% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Denver
Advantages
Median household income stands at $94,718, significantly outpacing the national average per U.S. Census data.
Enjoyment of approximately 285 sunny days per year, supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Proximity to world-class Rocky Mountain recreation, including premier skiing, hiking, and biking destinations.
Thriving job market with strong sectors in aerospace, technology, and healthcare offering competitive wages.
Vibrant cultural and entertainment ecosystem highlighted by the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre and a thriving craft beverage scene.
Drawbacks
Cost of living runs roughly 6% higher than the national average, led by steep housing and rental expenses.
Median home values of $616,000 present substantial barriers to entry for first-time homebuyers.
Frequent traffic congestion along major commuter corridors like I-25 and I-70 during peak hours.
Air quality can occasionally be impacted by regional wildfire smoke and temperature inversions in the mountain basin.
Property crime rates in certain dense urban neighborhoods require standard metropolitan vigilance.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Denver
#356Colorado, USA
59.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,975
Avg Salary
$81,000
Cost Index
106
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
285/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
82
Business
75
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