City Comparison
Greeley vs Longmont
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Longmont scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Greeley
Longmont
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Greeley is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Longmont.
Housing costs are a major driver: Greeley's average rent is
19% lower than Longmont's.
| Metric | Greeley | Longmont | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,495 | $1,850 | -19% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,435 | $2,780 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Longmont offers 14% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Longmont delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Greeley is estimated at
$52,000 vs $62,000 in Longmont.
| Metric | Greeley | Longmont |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,263 idx | 68,571 idx |
| Household Income | $69,881 | $90,671 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Longmont sees 9.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Greeley | Longmont |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.70°F | 50.60°F |
| Summer High | 87.30°F | 84.70°F |
| Winter Low | 17.70°F | 18.40°F |
| Rainfall | 16.80 in | 20.90 in |
| Snowfall | 20.30 in | 29.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 286 | 278 |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 55.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Greeley 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 | Greeley | Longmont |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Greeley is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Longmont.
From a growth perspective, Greeley is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Longmont has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Greeley | Longmont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,073 | 100,109 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 32.5 | 40.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Greeley
Advantages
Median home prices and average rents remain significantly more affordable than the Colorado state average and neighboring Front Range cities.
A diversified and resilient local economy featuring major employers in food processing, energy, and healthcare.
A youthful, vibrant population and collegiate atmosphere anchored by the University of Northern Colorado and Aims Community College.
Extensive recreational amenities including over 30 parks, miles of trails, and cultural venues like the Union Colony Civic Center.
Recognized economic growth momentum and status as a prominent Northern Colorado regional hub.
Drawbacks
Certain industrial and agricultural operations can create localized odors and environmental management challenges across parts of the city.
Public transit options outside core areas are limited, resulting in high reliance on personal vehicles for daily commutes.
Poverty rates in specific neighborhoods remain slightly higher than the state average due to demographic shifts.
Rapid regional growth has placed upward pressure on traffic congestion along key arterial corridors during peak hours.
Proximity to heavy industrial and energy extraction sites draws ongoing debate regarding environmental and land-use policies.
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.
Greeley
#235Colorado, USA
62.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,495
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
286/yr
Avg Temp
52.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
75
Business
72
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Greeley and Longmont.
Open Cost Calculator