City Comparison
Greeley vs Loveland
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Loveland scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Greeley
Loveland
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Greeley is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Loveland.
Housing costs are a major driver: Greeley's average rent is
12% lower than Loveland's.
| Metric | Greeley | Loveland | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,495 | $1,700 | -12% |
| Groceries | $400 | $420 | -5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $115 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,435 | $2,655 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 102 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Loveland offers 9% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Loveland delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Greeley is estimated at
$52,000 vs $58,000 in Loveland.
| Metric | Greeley | Loveland |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,263 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $69,881 | $84,604 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Loveland sees 7.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Greeley | Loveland |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.70°F | 51.00°F |
| Summer High | 87.30°F | 83.80°F |
| Winter Low | 17.70°F | 17.40°F |
| Rainfall | 16.80 in | 17.20 in |
| Snowfall | 20.30 in | 27.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 286 | 285 |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 52.00% |
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.
| Metric | Greeley | Loveland |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Greeley is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Loveland.
From a growth perspective, Loveland is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Loveland has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Greeley | Loveland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,073 | 81,387 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 1.42% |
| Median Age | 32.5 | 40.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| 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.
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.
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
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
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