Golden, CO vs Payson, UT
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
Payson
72.9
#812 nationally
Payson leads in cost of living index (111 vs 152). Golden leads in walk score (42 vs 36). Payson leads in average commute (21 min vs 23.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Golden, CO | Payson, UT |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.8 (#1379) | 72.9 (#812) |
| Population | 20,242 | 24,054 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $865,982 | $477,164 |
| Median Household Income | $90,990 | $81,387 |
| Average Commute | 23.8 min | 21 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 36 |
| Crime Level | 3.4 | 3.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 111 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+19.5 | R+39.8 |
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 →
C-
72.9 Score
Payson, UT
Small Utah city with local appeal
Median Home
$477,164
Population
24,054
Crime
Low
Walk Score
36
West
View Payson, UT →