Golden, CO vs Lafayette, 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.
Golden
67.8
#1379 nationally
Lafayette
62.7
#1832 nationally
Lafayette leads in median household income ($219,250 vs $90,990). Golden leads in cost of living index (152 vs 280). Golden leads in walk score (42 vs 26).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Golden, CO | Lafayette, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.8 (#1379) | 62.7 (#1832) |
| Population | 20,242 | 25,048 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $865,982 | $1,941,109 |
| Median Household Income | $90,990 | $219,250 |
| Average Commute | 23.8 min | 29.7 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 26 |
| Crime Level | 3.4 | 2.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 280 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+19.5 | D+38.0 |
D+
67.8 Score
Golden, CO
Small Colorado city with local appeal
Median Home
$865,982
Population
20,242
Crime
Low
Walk Score
42
West
View Golden, CO →
D-
62.7 Score
Lafayette, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,941,109
Population
25,048
Crime
Low
Walk Score
26
Pacific
View Lafayette, CA →