Arvada, CO vs Highlands Ranch, CO

Arvada is moderately more affordable than Highlands Ranch, with a 14.5% lower cost of living index. Arvada scores 141 compared to 165 for Highlands Ranch, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Highlands Ranch can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Arvada is $1,802/month compared to $2,397/month in Highlands Ranch — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Arvada is more affordable at $600,800 median vs $672,600.

Median household income in Arvada is $113,396 compared to $155,847 in Highlands Ranch (-27.2%). While Highlands Ranch is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arvada spend roughly 19.1% of their income on rent, more than the 18.5% in Highlands Ranch.