City Comparison
Pueblo vs Denver
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Denver scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pueblo
Denver
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pueblo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Denver.
Housing costs are a major driver: Pueblo's average rent is
32% lower than Denver's.
| Metric | Pueblo | Denver | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,339 | $1,975 | -32% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $90 | +33% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,259 | $2,865 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 106 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Denver offers 28% 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 Pueblo is estimated at
$52,000 vs $65,000 in Denver.
| Metric | Pueblo | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $81,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 76,415 idx |
| Household Income | $56,664 | $94,718 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Pueblo comes out ahead with 28 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Denver sees 5.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Pueblo | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.50°F | 53.20°F |
| Summer High | 89.90°F | 87.50°F |
| Winter Low | 22.40°F | 19.40°F |
| Rainfall | 10.80 in | 16.90 in |
| Snowfall | 16.90 in | 22.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 313 | 285 |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 45.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 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 | Pueblo | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Denver is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Pueblo.
From a growth perspective, Denver is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Denver has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Pueblo | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,404 | 740,613 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.0 |
| Unemployment | 6.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Pueblo
Advantages
Overall cost of living runs approximately 8% below the national average, making it Colorado's most affordable urban center.
Enjoyable climate featuring roughly 313 sunny days per year and mild winter variations.
Abundant outdoor recreation centered around Lake Pueblo State Park for boating, fishing, and hiking.
Rich cultural identity highlighted by local traditions, historic architecture, and the famous annual Chile & Frijoles Festival.
Significantly more accessible housing market with median home values well below state and national norms.
Drawbacks
Property crime rates and overall crime indices remain higher than the national median.
Local average wages and median household incomes trail significantly behind state and national benchmarks.
Economic mobility and job diversification are more limited compared to northern Colorado tech centers.
Summer high temperatures frequently exceed 90°F, requiring robust air conditioning and heat management.
Public transportation options are relatively limited, necessitating regular reliance on personal vehicle ownership.
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.
Pueblo
#559Colorado, USA
47.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,339
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
313/yr
Avg Temp
56.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.60%
Livability
72
Business
65
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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