Denver, CO vs Monterey, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Denver
69.1
#1250 nationally
Monterey
62.7
#1834 nationally
Denver leads in cost of living index (128 vs 192). Monterey leads in average commute (19.1 min vs 26.4 min). Denver leads in walk score (61 vs 53).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Denver, CO | Monterey, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.1 (#1250) | 62.7 (#1834) |
| Population | 713,252 | 29,116 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $533,060 | $1,179,065 |
| Median Household Income | $85,853 | $98,003 |
| Average Commute | 26.4 min | 19.1 min |
| Walk Score | 61 | 53 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 10.5 |
| School Rating | 6.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 192 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+56.1 | D+29.9 |
D+
69.1 Score
Denver, CO
Mile High City with mountain access
Median Home
$533,060
Population
713,252
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B-
West
View Denver, CO →
D-
62.7 Score
Monterey, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,179,065
Population
29,116
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View Monterey, CA →