Is Pasco cheaper than Denver?

Yes. Typical rent in Pasco is $1,150 a month versus $2,089 in Denver — 45% cheaper. Median household income is $75,316 in Pasco compared with $85,853 in Denver, so Denver has the stronger local pay picture.

Which city is safer, Pasco or Denver?

Pasco is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 116 versus 137 in Denver — 15% lower (100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.

Which city has better schools, Pasco or Denver?

School composites are close: A- in Pasco and A- in Denver. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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City comparison

Pasco, WA vs Denver, CO

Pasco, WA 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 — typical rent, median household income, crime indexes, school composites, and typical weather — so you can see which city actually fits how you live, work, and spend. Typical rents sit near $1,150 a month in Pasco and $2,089 in Denver, and median household income lands at $75,316 versus $85,853. Open either city's full report when you want the block-level detail behind these headlines.

Pasco takes affordability, safety, and weather, while Denver takes job market. The widest gap is rent, where Pasco leads by 45% — 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 Pasco can feel further apart than Pasco and Denver do on paper. Use this page to pick a city, then use the Pasco and Denver reports to pick a neighborhood — and visit in the season you like least before you sign anything.

Full Pasco report Full Denver report

Pasco, WA

Rent: $1,150/mo
Median income: $75,316
Crime index: 116
Schools: A-
Weather: 77°F

Denver, CO

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

Rent

45% cheaper

Pasco rent is 45% cheaper than Denver

Pasco

Winner

$1,150/mo

Denver

$2,089/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,150 a month in Pasco versus $2,089 in Denver, so Pasco is 45% cheaper. That's roughly $939/month back in your pocket — $11,268/year. Over five years that's $56,340 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Denver, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Pasco is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.

Median income

14% higher

Denver's median income is 14% higher than Pasco

Pasco

$75,316

Denver

Winner

$85,853

What this means for your life

Median household income is $85,853 in Denver versus $75,316 in Pasco, so typical pay runs 14% higher in Denver — about $10,537 more household income a year. Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Denver is the stronger labor market on paper. Pasco can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.

Crime index

15% lower crime

Pasco's crime index is 15% lower than Denver

Pasco

Winner

116 (100 = avg)

Denver

137 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Pasco's crime index is 116 versus 137 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 15% lower in Pasco. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Pasco, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Denver. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.

School scores

Neck and neck

Pasco and Denver are about even on school scores.

Pasco

A- · 84/100

Denver

A- · 84/100

What this means for your life

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

Typical weather

19% more comfortable

Pasco weather is 19% more comfortable than Denver

Pasco

Winner

77°F typical

Denver

82°F typical

What this means for your life

Pasco scores 19% more comfortable on this page's weather index, which rewards temperatures closer to a livable outdoor day. Typical temperatures sit around 77°F in Pasco and 82°F in Denver. Pasco reads as warm weather most of the year; Denver reads as hot, long summers. Climate affects quality of life more than most people anticipate when planning a move. Consider how much time you spend outdoors and whether extreme heat or cold impacts your mood or productivity. Pasco is the better default if you want year-round outdoor access. Denver can still be right if you love that climate on purpose — beach heat, dry heat, or a real winter — but you cannot return a city's weather.

Fit check

Who should choose Pasco

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

Pasco is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 45% cheaper here at about $1,150 a month. Choose Pasco if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.

Pick Pasco if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (77°F) beat Denver on this page's weather index by 19%. Denver may pay more or cost less, but Pasco is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Pasco is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 15% lower than Denver (116 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.

Open the Pasco report →

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 14% 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 →

Bottom line

Pasco vs Denver, called

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

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

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

Common questions

Pasco vs Denver FAQ

Is Pasco cheaper than Denver?: Yes. Typical rent in Pasco is $1,150 a month versus $2,089 in Denver — 45% cheaper. Median household income is $75,316 in Pasco compared with $85,853 in Denver, so Denver has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Pasco or Denver?: Pasco is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 116 versus 137 in Denver — 15% lower (100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, Pasco or Denver?: School composites are close: A- in Pasco and A- in Denver. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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