Denver, CO vs Phoenix, AZ
Side-by-side comparison · Updated Jun 2026
Report card
| Category | DenverDenver, CO | PhoenixPhoenix, AZ | Same grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReloScoreOverall grade | |||
| Affluence | Good | Average | |
| Cost of Living | |||
| Crime | High Risk | Elevated | |
| Education | |||
| Quality of Life | Good | Great | |
| Sovereignty | Self-Reliant | Self-Reliant | |
| Strategic | Vulnerable | Vulnerable |
Grades rate each place against all US places. How grades work →
Comparison summary
At -0.6% job growth year-over-year, Denver, CO saw a contraction while Phoenix, AZ posted +2.1% growth, a 2.7-point difference according to 2023 Census figures. Denver's unemployment rate of 4.3% was 1.1 points higher than Phoenix's 3.2%, placing Denver in the 78th percentile and Phoenix in the 29th percentile for this metric. The share of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher stood at 55.6% in Denver versus 32.3% in Phoenix, a 23.3-point gap that put Denver in the 85th percentile and Phoenix at the 50th percentile.
Denver's healthcare access score of 100/100 was 17 points higher than Phoenix's 83/100, ranking Denver in the 90th percentile and Phoenix in the 47th percentile. Average household size in Phoenix was 2.7 people, 25% larger than Denver's 2.1, with Phoenix in the 73rd percentile and Denver in the 12th percentile. Denver's distance to the international border was 556 miles, 4.9 times farther than Phoenix's 113 miles, placing Denver in the 77th percentile and Phoenix in the 12th percentile. Denver's distance to the coastline was 701 miles, 4.3 times farther than Phoenix's 163 miles, with Denver in the 83rd percentile and Phoenix in the 38th percentile.
AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them. Generated Oct 2026.
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Where they differ most
Cost of living
| Metric | Denver, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL indexCost of living index (100 = US) | 17586th pctl | 12967th pctl | Cost of living index (100 = US): Denver, CO 175; Phoenix, AZ 129; Denver is 36% higher. |
| Home valueMedian home value | $586,70087th pctl | $381,90069th pctl | Median home value: Denver, CO $586,700; Phoenix, AZ $381,900; Denver is 54% higher. |
| Median rent | $1,77083rd pctl | $1,45868th pctl | Median rent: Denver, CO $1,770; Phoenix, AZ $1,458; Denver is 21% higher. |
| Household incomeMedian household income | $91,68171st pctl | $77,04155th pctl | Median household income: Denver, CO $91,681; Phoenix, AZ $77,041; Denver is 19% higher. |
| Comfortable (single)Comfortable income (single) | $113,98689th pctl | $74,19770th pctl | Comfortable income (single): Denver, CO $113,986; Phoenix, AZ $74,197; Denver is 54% higher. |
| Comfortable (family)Comfortable income (family of 4) | $167,55989th pctl | $109,06970th pctl | Comfortable income (family of 4): Denver, CO $167,559; Phoenix, AZ $109,069; Denver is 54% higher. |
| AffordabilityHousing affordability | Stretched | Stretched | Housing affordability: Denver, CO C-; Phoenix, AZ B-; Phoenix is graded higher. |
Housing-adjusted salary
the same housing budget in Phoenix needs about
$55,300
Based only on local housing costs and incomes (cost-of-living index 175 vs 129). Leaves out taxes, groceries and transport. How it works →
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
Jobs & income
| Metric | Denver, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment | 4.3%78th pctl | 3.2%29th pctl | Unemployment: Denver, CO 4.3%; Phoenix, AZ 3.2%; Denver is 1.1 points higher. |
| Job growthJob growth (YoY) | -0.6%11th pctl | +2.1%78th pctl | Job growth (YoY): Denver, CO -0.6%; Phoenix, AZ +2.1%; Phoenix is 2.7 points higher. |
| Per-capita income | $61,20288th pctl | $40,30958th pctl | Per-capita income: Denver, CO $61,202; Phoenix, AZ $40,309; Denver is 52% higher. |
| Poverty rate | 11.2%48th pctl | 14.3%63rd pctl | Poverty rate: Denver, CO 11.2%; Phoenix, AZ 14.3%; Phoenix is 3.1 points higher. |
| CommuteAverage commute | 25.4 min64th pctl | 25.7 min65th pctl | About the same |
| Work from home | 24.4%90th pctl | 16.9%76th pctl | Work from home: Denver, CO 24.4%; Phoenix, AZ 16.9%; Denver is 7.5 points higher. |
| OpportunityEconomic opportunity | Stable | Stable | About the same |
| Job market | Stable | Strong | Job market: Denver, CO B-; Phoenix, AZ A+; Phoenix is graded higher. |
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
Safety
| Metric | Denver, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimeViolent crime per 100k | 87597th pctl | 69493rd pctl | Violent crime per 100k: Denver, CO 875; Phoenix, AZ 694; Denver is 26% higher. |
| Property crimeProperty crime per 100k | 4,12698th pctl | 2,03678th pctl | Property crime per 100k: Denver, CO 4,126; Phoenix, AZ 2,036; Denver is 2.0 times higher. |
| 5-yr trendViolent crime, 5-yr trend | Falling | Rising | |
| Crime & safety | Dangerous | Dangerous | About the same |
| Traffic safety | SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
Data: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
Quality of life
| Metric | Denver, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air quality | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | ModerateCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | Air quality: Denver, CO A-; Phoenix, AZ B-; Denver is graded higher. |
| ClimateClimate comfort | Dry | Dry | About the same |
| HealthcareHealthcare access | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | Healthcare access: Denver, CO A+; Phoenix, AZ A; Denver is graded higher. |
| Tap water | Clean | Fair | Tap water: Denver, CO A-; Phoenix, AZ C+; Denver is graded higher. |
| Power grid | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | About the same |
| HomesteadingHomesteading potential | Workable | Prime | Homesteading potential: Denver, CO B-; Phoenix, AZ A-; Phoenix is graded higher. |
| Disaster riskNational disaster risk | High-Risk | High-Risk | About the same |
3 rows not shown: broadband, walkability and local food access aren't available for either place.
Data: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
Taxes & laws
| Metric | Denver, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxes | ModerateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ModerateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | About the same |
| HomeschoolHomeschool rules | moderateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | lowState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| FirearmsFirearm laws grade | DState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | AState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| Property rightsProperty rights (eminent domain) | DState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | B+State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| EnergyEnergy production | Net exporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. |
Data: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
Strategic location
How exposed each place is to large-scale disruption, based on distance from big cities, likely targets and natural hazards.
| Metric | Denver, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large cityNearest large city | 0 mi0th pctl | 9 mi9th pctl | Nearest large city: Denver, CO 0 mi; Phoenix, AZ 9 mi; Phoenix is higher (Denver: 0 mi). |
| Target proximity | Poor | Weak | Target proximity: Denver, CO F; Phoenix, AZ C+; Phoenix is graded higher. |
| To borderDistance to international border | 556 mi77th pctl | 113 mi12th pctl | Distance to international border: Denver, CO 556 mi; Phoenix, AZ 113 mi; Denver is 4.9 times higher. |
| To coastDistance to coastline | 701 mi83rd pctl | 163 mi38th pctl | Distance to coastline: Denver, CO 701 mi; Phoenix, AZ 163 mi; Denver is 4.3 times higher. |
| StrategicStrategic location | Vulnerable | Vulnerable | About the same |
Data: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
People
| Metric | Denver, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,73499th pctl | 1,624,832100th pctl | Population: Denver, CO 713,734; Phoenix, AZ 1,624,832; Phoenix is 2.3 times larger. |
| DensityPopulation density (per sq mi) | 4,66390th pctl | 3,13479th pctl | Population density (per sq mi): Denver, CO 4,663; Phoenix, AZ 3,134; Denver is 49% higher. |
| Median age | 35.227th pctl | 34.824th pctl | About the same |
| Bachelor's+Bachelor's degree or higher | 55.6%85th pctl | 32.3%50th pctl | Bachelor's degree or higher: Denver, CO 55.6%; Phoenix, AZ 32.3%; Denver is 23.3 points higher. |
| Household sizeAverage household size | 2.112th pctl | 2.773rd pctl | Average household size: Denver, CO 2.1; Phoenix, AZ 2.7; Phoenix is 25% larger. |
More about Denver's residents · Phoenix's residents
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
Politics
Information only. Not part of any grade, difference or summary on this page.
Moving between Denver and Phoenix
- Median rent: $1,770 in Denver, $1,458 in Phoenix
- Median home value: $586,700 in Denver, $381,900 in Phoenix
- Cost of living index (100 = US): 175 in Denver, 129 in Phoenix
- Median household income: $91,681 in Denver, $77,041 in Phoenix
- Comfortable income (family of 4): $167,559 in Denver, $109,069 in Phoenix
- Unemployment: 4.3% in Denver, 3.2% in Phoenix
- Average commute: 25.4 min in Denver, 25.7 min in Phoenix
- Violent crime per 100k: 875 in Denver, 694 in Phoenix
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- Data: Cost of living: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
- Data: Jobs & income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
- Data: Safety: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
- Data: Quality of life: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
- Data: Taxes & laws: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
- Data: Strategic location: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
- Data: People: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area.
Narrative content on this page is AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them.
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