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City comparison

Loveland, CO vs Denver, CO

Loveland, CO versus Denver, CO is a real move, not a trivia matchup. This comparison uses the same 2026 neighborhood report data we publish on each city page โ€” typical rent, median household income, crime indexes, school composites, and typical weather โ€” so you can see which city actually fits how you live, work, and spend. Typical rents sit near $1,732 a month in Loveland and $2,089 in Denver, and median household income lands at $81,898 versus $85,853. Open either city's full report when you want the block-level detail behind these headlines.

Loveland takes affordability and weather, while Denver takes job market. The widest gap is rent, where Loveland leads by 17% โ€” the kind of spread you feel in a monthly budget or a nightly walk, not just on a chart. Read the category rows as a filter: if cheaper housing would change your life more than a stronger job market, weight rent first. If you are moving with kids, weight schools and crime. If you picked a city after one good weekend, use the weather and income rows to test whether that weekend survives a full year.

Numbers below are citywide, not a guarantee about the street you will actually live on. Two ZIP codes in Loveland can feel further apart than Loveland and Denver do on paper. Use this page to pick a city, then use the Loveland and Denver reports to pick a neighborhood โ€” and visit in the season you like least before you sign anything.

Loveland, CO

Rent
$1,732/mo
Median income
$81,898
Crime index
137
Schools
A-
Weather
79ยฐF

Denver, CO

Rent
$2,089/mo
Median income
$85,853
Crime index
137
Schools
A-
Weather
82ยฐF

Rent

17% cheaper

Loveland rent is 17% cheaper than Denver

Loveland

Winner

$1,732/mo

Denver

$2,089/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,732 a month in Loveland versus $2,089 in Denver, so Loveland is 17% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $4,284 โ€” enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Loveland still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10โ€“20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Denver.

Median income

5% higher

Denver's median income is 5% higher than Loveland

Loveland

$81,898

Denver

Winner

$85,853

What this means for your life

Median household income is $85,853 in Denver versus $81,898 in Loveland, so typical pay runs 5% higher in Denver โ€” about $3,955 more household income a year. The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.

Crime index

Neck and neck

Loveland and Denver are about even on crime index.

Loveland

137 (100 = avg)

Denver

137 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Loveland and Denver post similar crime indexes (137 vs 137, where 100 is the national average). A small gap at the city level can still hide a huge neighborhood spread. Walk the specific block, check lighting and late-night activity, and use each city's full report for violent vs. property crime instead of stopping at the headline index.

School scores

Neck and neck

Loveland and Denver are about even on school scores.

Loveland

A- ยท 84/100

Denver

A- ยท 84/100

What this means for your life

School composites are effectively even (A- in Loveland, A- in Denver). For families with kids this is a warning if you assumed one city was obviously better โ€” at this range the campus, not the city name, decides it. Tour the zoned elementary you would actually use.

Typical weather

11% more comfortable

Loveland weather is 11% more comfortable than Denver

Loveland

Winner

79ยฐF typical

Denver

82ยฐF typical

What this means for your life

Loveland scores 11% more comfortable on this page's weather index, which rewards temperatures closer to a livable outdoor day. Typical temperatures sit around 79ยฐF in Loveland and 82ยฐF in Denver. Loveland reads as warm weather most of the year; Denver reads as hot, long summers. The comfort edge is real but not a personality transplant. If you already know you want Denver's season, a modest index lead should not talk you out of it. If you are undecided, Loveland is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Fit check

Who should choose Loveland

Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing

Loveland is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 17% cheaper here at about $1,732 a month. Choose Loveland if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.

Pick Loveland if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (79ยฐF) beat Denver on this page's weather index by 11%. Denver may pay more or cost less, but Loveland is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Open the Loveland report โ†’

Fit check

Who should choose Denver

Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth

Denver is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 5% higher here ($85,853). Start with Denver if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.

Open the Denver report โ†’

Bottom line

Loveland vs Denver, called

If cost of living is your priority, Loveland is the clear choice.

If the job market matters more to you, Denver pulls ahead.

For most movers comparing these two cities, Loveland offers the better overall package.

Common questions

Loveland vs Denver FAQ

Is Loveland cheaper than Denver?
Yes. Typical rent in Loveland is $1,732 a month versus $2,089 in Denver โ€” 17% cheaper. Median household income is $81,898 in Loveland compared with $85,853 in Denver, so Denver has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Loveland or Denver?
Neither city has a meaningful citywide edge. Crime indexes are 137 in Loveland and 137 in Denver (100 = national average). Compare neighborhoods, not slogans.
Which city has better schools, Loveland or Denver?
School composites are close: A- in Loveland and A- in Denver. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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