City Comparison
Loveland vs Denver
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Loveland scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Loveland
Denver
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Loveland is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Denver.
Housing costs are a major driver: Loveland's average rent is
14% lower than Denver's.
| Metric | Loveland | Denver | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,700 | $1,975 | -14% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $90 | +28% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,655 | $2,865 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 106 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Denver offers 16% 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 Loveland is estimated at
$58,000 vs $65,000 in Denver.
| Metric | Loveland | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $81,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 76,415 idx |
| Household Income | $84,604 | $94,718 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Loveland sees 4.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Loveland | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.00°F | 53.20°F |
| Summer High | 83.80°F | 87.50°F |
| Winter Low | 17.40°F | 19.40°F |
| Rainfall | 17.20 in | 16.90 in |
| Snowfall | 27.40 in | 22.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 285 | 285 |
| Humidity | 52.00% | 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 | Loveland | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 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 Loveland.
From a growth perspective, Loveland is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Loveland | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,387 | 740,613 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.42% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 35.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
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
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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