City Comparison
Greeley vs Parker
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Parker scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Greeley
Parker
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Greeley is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Parker.
Housing costs are a major driver: Greeley's average rent is
27% lower than Parker's.
| Metric | Greeley | Parker | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,495 | $2,050 | -27% |
| Groceries | $400 | $420 | -5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,435 | $3,020 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Parker offers 30% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Parker delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Greeley is estimated at
$52,000 vs $75,000 in Parker.
| Metric | Greeley | Parker |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $88,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,263 idx | 72,131 idx |
| Household Income | $69,881 | $133,369 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.90000000000001°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Parker sees 8.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Greeley | Parker |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.70°F | 51.80°F |
| Summer High | 87.30°F | 83.10°F |
| Winter Low | 17.70°F | 20.50°F |
| Rainfall | 16.80 in | 18.20 in |
| Snowfall | 20.30 in | 28.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 286 | 280 |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 45.00% |
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, Greeley leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Greeley | Parker |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Greeley is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x 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 | Greeley | Parker |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,073 | 65,473 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 2.45% |
| Median Age | 32.5 | 36.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.00% |
| 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.
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.
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
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
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