Denver, CO
Census place 0820000 · pop 718,877
Sales & income are statewide.
The breakdown — worst first
U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities
4782 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities
999 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 42 AQI · worse than most cities
55 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 1 days · worse than most cities
29 unhealthy-air days per year · Days per year with unhealthy air (AQI above 100). Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median $214,900 · worse than most cities
$616,000 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.
U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities
48.8% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.
U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities
Gini 0.49 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities
4.5% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 9.3% · worse than most cities
13.3% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.
U.S. median 77/100 · worse than most cities
94/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities
+1.9% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?
U.S. median $1,756/mo · worse than most cities
$1,860/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).
U.S. median 24 min · worse than most cities
25 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.
U.S. median 12.1% · better than most cities
11.2% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.
U.S. median 90.0% · better than most cities
92.9% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
U.S. median $67,857 · better than most cities
$94,718 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.
U.S. median 17.4% · better than most cities
15.5% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).
U.S. median 14.6% · better than most cities
10.2% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.
U.S. median 24.3% · better than most cities
56.5% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
U.S. median 26.5% · better than most cities
17.3% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.
U.S. median 0.99% · better than most cities
0.45% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.
U.S. median 36.5% · better than most cities
21.6% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
Frequently asked
- Is Denver, CO a good place to live?
- By the numbers, Denver scores 39/100 — a D− (Rough) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 22 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is adult obesity and its weakest is property crime rate. Colorado overall ranks #36 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
- How safe is Denver, CO?
- Denver reports 999 violent crimes per 100k and 4782 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
- Is Denver, CO expensive to live in?
- Denver has a median home value of $616,000 and typical rent around $1,860/mo — pricier than most U.S. cities.
- What's the biggest downside of living in Denver, CO?
- Its weakest measured area is property crime rate (4782/100k) — 3/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
- What is Denver, CO best at?
- Its strongest measured area is adult obesity (21.6%) — 98/100, better than most U.S. cities. Fun fact: The 'Mile High City,' sitting exactly one mile (5,280 feet) above sea level.
Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.