City Comparison
Littleton vs Denver
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Denver scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Littleton
Denver
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Littleton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Denver.
Housing costs are a major driver: Littleton's average rent is
11% lower than Denver's.
| Metric | Littleton | Denver | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,975 | -11% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $90 | +22% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,680 | $2,865 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 106 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Denver offers 9% lower 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 Littleton is estimated at
$62,000 vs $65,000 in Denver.
| Metric | Littleton | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $81,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,712 idx | 76,415 idx |
| Household Income | $88,500 | $94,718 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Littleton sees 1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Littleton | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.60°F | 53.20°F |
| Summer High | 86.00°F | 87.50°F |
| Winter Low | 19.20°F | 19.40°F |
| Rainfall | 17.40 in | 16.90 in |
| Snowfall | 23.70 in | 22.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 282 | 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 | Littleton | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Denver is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Littleton.
From a growth perspective, Denver is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Littleton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Littleton | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,652 | 740,613 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 35.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Littleton
Advantages
Historic downtown Littleton offers a vibrant cultural hub with local dining, shopping, and community events per city data.
Exceptional access to outdoor recreation, including Chatfield State Park and miles of regional trails.
Strong public safety profile with violent crime rates significantly below the national average per FBI uniform crime reporting.
Convenient regional transit connectivity via the RTD Light Rail D Line directly into downtown Denver.
Top-rated public school options within Littleton Public Schools and Jefferson County school districts.
Drawbacks
Housing affordability has declined significantly due to rapid appreciation across the Denver metropolitan area per Zillow data.
Higher-than-average cost of living compared to the national baseline, particularly regarding housing and real estate taxes.
Traffic congestion along major commuter corridors such as Santa Fe Drive during peak hours.
Vulnerability to seasonal weather volatility, including heavy winter snowstorms and dry summer wildfire risks.
Limited inventory of affordable multi-family rental housing within the immediate historic district.
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.
Littleton
#362Colorado, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
282/yr
Avg Temp
52.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.60%
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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