Denver, CO vs Santa Barbara, 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
Santa Barbara
59.8
#1944 nationally
Denver leads in cost of living index (128 vs 225). Santa Barbara leads in average commute (17.6 min vs 26.4 min). Santa Barbara leads in median household income ($98,346 vs $85,853).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Denver, CO | Santa Barbara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.1 (#1250) | 59.8 (#1944) |
| Population | 713,252 | 86,499 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $533,060 | $1,848,325 |
| Median Household Income | $85,853 | $98,346 |
| Average Commute | 26.4 min | 17.6 min |
| Walk Score | 61 | 61 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 17.8 |
| School Rating | 6.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 225 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+56.1 | D+26.7 |
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 →
F
59.8 Score
Santa Barbara, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,848,325
Population
86,499
Crime
High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View Santa Barbara, CA →
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