City Comparison
Longmont vs Denver
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Longmont scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Longmont
Denver
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Longmont is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Denver.
| Metric | Longmont | Denver | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $1,975 | -6% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $90 | +22% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,780 | $2,865 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 106 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Denver offers 11% 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 Longmont is estimated at
$62,000 vs $65,000 in Denver.
| Metric | Longmont | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $81,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,571 idx | 76,415 idx |
| Household Income | $90,671 | $94,718 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Longmont sees 7.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Longmont | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.60°F | 53.20°F |
| Summer High | 84.70°F | 87.50°F |
| Winter Low | 18.40°F | 19.40°F |
| Rainfall | 20.90 in | 16.90 in |
| Snowfall | 29.90 in | 22.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 278 | 285 |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 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 | Longmont | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Denver is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Longmont.
From a growth perspective, Longmont 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 | Longmont | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,109 | 740,613 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.3 | 35.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
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
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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