The cities Denver, CO and Nashville, TN, the consolidated city-county also known as the Metropolitan Government in Tennessee, both offer impressive living conditions for both residents and tourists. Each has its unique characteristics and elements, from the economy and cost of living to culture and sports. Let's take a closer look at these aspects to understand better the quality of life and tourist potential of each city.
Denver, CO prides itself on maintaining a relatively safe environment, though crime rates can vary based on neighborhood. However, the city has been experiencing a rise in crime rates in recent years. In comparison, the Metropolitan Government, TN, also grapples with crime, particularly in more populated areas. Both cities have implemented various measures to improve safety, such as increasing police presence and community outreach programs.
Cost of Living
The cost of living index in Denver is significantly higher than in Nashville, primarily driven by housing costs. Groceries, health care, and transportation also tend to be more expensive in Denver.
Income Tax
Colorado imposes a flat income tax rate of 4.63% for Denver residents. Tennessee does not have a state income tax, which benefits Nashville residents.
Property Tax
The effective property tax rate is higher in Denver than in Nashville. Colorado has a residential assessment rate of 7.15%, while in Tennessee, it's 25% of the property's appraised value.
Sales Tax
Sales tax in Denver is relatively high at 8.31%, while in Nashville the combined state and local sales taxes can total up to 9.75%.
Income
Type
Denver
Metropolitan Government
Estimated median household income
$81,630
$65,348
Estimated per capita income
$52,690
$43,994
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
111.3
97.9
If you make $50,000 in Metropolitan Government, you will have to make $56,844 in Denver to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Denver is located at the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains and is known for its high altitude and adjacency to outdoor activities. Nashville is situated in the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee and features numerous parks and green spaces.
Geographical information
Type
Denver
Metropolitan Government
Land area
153.4 sq. miles
502.3 sq. miles
Population density
4,639.5 people per sq. mile
1,236.2 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Denver, CO Metropolitan Government, TN
Education
Both Denver and Nashville boast strong education systems. Denver is home to notable institutions like the University of Denver and Metropolitan State University. Nashville is famous for its music education, with renowned institutions like Vanderbilt University and Belmont University.
Denver's economy is diversified, with strong sectors in aerospace, telecommunication, and technology. Meanwhile, Nashville's economy is primarily based on healthcare, music and entertainment industry, and education. Both cities offer competitive salaries and opportunities for career advancement.
Biggest Employers
In Denver, some of the biggest employers are HealthONE Corporation, Denver International Airport, and CenturyLink. Nashville's top employers include Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nissan North America, and HCA Holdings, Inc.
In Denver (Denver County), 73.9% voted for Democrats and 24.3% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Metropolitan Government (Davidson County), 58.5% voted for Democrats and 39.9% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Denver
Metropolitan Government
Denver
Metropolitan Government
Denver
Metropolitan Government
2020
80.1%
65.0%
18.3%
32.6%
1.6%
2.3%
2016
74.2%
60.1%
19.0%
34.1%
6.8%
5.7%
2012
73.9%
58.5%
24.3%
39.9%
1.7%
1.6%
2008
75.8%
60.0%
23.2%
39.0%
1.0%
1.0%
2004
69.7%
54.9%
29.3%
44.6%
0.9%
0.4%
2000
62.0%
57.9%
30.9%
40.4%
7.0%
1.7%
1996
61.8%
79.3%
30.0%
18.1%
8.2%
2.6%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Denver
Metropolitan Government
Denver
Metropolitan Government
CATHOLIC CHURCH
26.6%
4.9%
8.7%
2.3%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
2.1%
0.1%
4.3%
0.3%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.1%
1.5%
3.2%
1.8%
SALVATION ARMY
1.1%
0.1%
0.7%
0.5%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.9%
14.1%
6.8%
19.6%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.7%
1.1%
3.0%
1.7%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.5%
0.8%
0.9%
1.4%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.4%
0.2%
2.7%
0.8%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.3%
0.3%
2.3%
0.9%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.0%
0.8%
0.7%
0.9%
Weather
Denver benefits from over 300 days of sunshine a year and experiences a semi-arid continental climate characterized by four distinct seasons. Snow is common in winter, while summers are warm but not excessively hot. Nashville experiences a subtropical climate with humid summers and mild winters. It gets higher annual rainfall than Denver but less snow.
Weather and climate
Type
Denver
Metropolitan Government
Temperature - Average
49.5°F
58.4°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
50.6%
75.9%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
20%
38%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
55%
89%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
35%
51%
Precipitation - Yearly average
17 in
49 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
114 in
17.8 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
19.2%
17.1%
Sunshine amount - Average
75.6%
59.7%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
10%
23%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
65%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
64%
42%
Wind speed - Average
8.6 mph
7.7 mph
Average climate in Denver, Colorado
Average climate in Metropolitan Government, Tennessee
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Denver
Metropolitan Government
Denver
Metropolitan Government
Denver
Metropolitan Government
Denver
Metropolitan Government
Denver
Metropolitan Government
Denver
Metropolitan Government
Denver
Metropolitan Government
Denver
Metropolitan Government
2018
100
71
0.50
0.40
25.4
13.8
27.9
24.1
N/A
N/A
29.2
15.2
8.6
9.2
0.7
0.2
2017
95
70
0.49
0.38
25.9
14.4
27.6
26.8
N/A
N/A
22.0
15.3
8.4
8.7
0.8
0.1
2016
90
90
0.53
0.42
27.7
16.1
27.2
26.4
N/A
N/A
22.6
N/A
8.7
10.1
1.0
0.0
2015
101
68
0.53
0.43
27.8
15.5
25.2
23.6
N/A
N/A
21.0
N/A
10.4
10.8
1.0
0.1
2014
94
66
0.53
N/A
25.4
N/A
24.6
26.3
N/A
N/A
25.1
N/A
10.1
9.8
1.3
1.4
2013
85
62
0.45
N/A
21.9
N/A
24.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
24.4
N/A
N/A
9.7
1.5
N/A
2012
91
81
0.33
N/A
18.9
N/A
26.2
28.3
N/A
N/A
24.9
N/A
N/A
11.0
1.4
2.3
2011
91
81
0.34
N/A
18.1
N/A
25.8
25.9
N/A
N/A
23.7
N/A
N/A
11.0
1.6
1.7
2010
82
80
0.43
N/A
16.3
N/A
23.6
24.3
N/A
N/A
26.4
N/A
N/A
12.2
1.0
2.2
2009
79
72
0.41
N/A
14.1
N/A
23.1
22.5
0.005
N/A
22.2
N/A
N/A
11.5
1.3
2.4
2008
85
81
0.43
N/A
17.3
N/A
26.0
25.7
0.008
N/A
25.2
N/A
N/A
13.4
1.6
2.5
2007
96
99
0.37
N/A
20.6
N/A
21.9
27.4
0.007
N/A
30.2
N/A
N/A
15.5
1.2
2.7
2006
89
93
0.51
0.69
19.0
N/A
22.1
24.9
0.008
N/A
28.0
N/A
N/A
14.9
1.4
2.9
2005
86
104
0.57
0.56
21.3
N/A
20.9
23.5
0.068
N/A
30.9
N/A
N/A
16.9
1.5
3.1
2004
82
83
0.60
0.61
21.2
N/A
19.2
22.0
0.012
0.006
28.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.8
2.6
2003
106
93
0.60
0.67
21.2
N/A
20.8
18.5
0.015
0.005
32.6
N/A
N/A
15.8
1.9
3.8
2002
86
92
0.65
0.68
19.2
N/A
20.4
20.2
0.014
N/A
35.7
N/A
N/A
15.3
2.5
4.3
2001
95
95
0.86
0.90
23.6
N/A
18.6
19.5
0.012
N/A
32.6
N/A
N/A
15.6
2.6
4.5
2000
93
97
0.81
0.75
13.4
N/A
19.2
19.8
0.013
N/A
12.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.1
4.1
Natural disasters
Type
Denver
Metropolitan Government
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
129.5%
169%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
811.7%
296.3%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
10%
17%
Transportation
Denver's public transit system, run by RTD, is far-reaching and includes buses, light rail, and an airport train. The city also promotes cycling and walking. Nashville's transit system is primarily bus-based, but the city is also walker and biker friendly and offers various ride-sharing options.
Transport
Type
Denver
Metropolitan Government
Amtrak stations
2
0
Amtrak stations nearby
2
1
FAA registered aircraft
602
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
28
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Denver
Metropolitan Government
Bicycle
1.5%
0.1%
Bus
2.6%
1.6%
Carpooled
8.8%
13.3%
Car alone
81.1%
78.6%
Railroad
1.2%
0%
Streetcar
0.2%
0%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.1%
Walked
2.8%
2.3%
Average travel time to work
Type
Denver
Metropolitan Government
Average
29.4 min
23.7 min
Real Estate
Real estate in Denver tends to be more expensive than in Nashville. Both cities offer a range of housing options from downtown apartments to suburban homes. Nashville has been more affordable, but prices are rapidly increasing due to demand.
Neighborhoods
Denver offers a variety of neighborhoods each with its own unique flavor, from the trendy Highlands to the artsy RiNo District. In contrast, Nashville embodies the charm of the South with neighborhoods such as East Nashville and The Gulch offering a mix of history, culture, and modern amenities.
Houses and residents
Type
Denver
Metropolitan Government
Houses
351,829
252,977
Average household size (people)
2.2
2.3
Houses occupied
326,634 (92.8%)
237,405 (93.8%)
Houses occupied by owners
164,429 (50.3%)
131,384 (55.3%)
Houses occupied by renters
162,205 (49.7%)
106,021 (44.7%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,674
$1,207
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$970,375
$226,967
Estimated median house or condo value
$541,500
$350,700
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.5
4.2
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.4
6.4
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
2,294.3
503.7
Household income disparities
44%
45.5%
Housing units without a mortgage
2,112 (1.7%)
32,597 (28.1%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
9,615 (7.6%)
342 (0.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
123,690 (98.3%)
83,416 (71.9%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
273 (0.2%)
8,009 (6.9%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
12,819 (10.2%)
9,691 (8.4%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.3%
0.7%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
24,661
20,090
State government workers
15,204
13,081
Unpaid family workers
763
668
Industries and Occupations
The leading industries in Denver include aerospace, healthcare, and technology. In Nashville, the dominant industries are healthcare, music, and education. Both cities offer a broad spectrum of careers, from technology and health professionals to educators and entertainers.
Denver has excellent healthcare facilities, with HealthONE and UCHealth being the largest providers. Nashville's healthcare industry is thriving, home to well-known facilities like Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Saint Thomas Health.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Denver
Metropolitan Government
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Denver boasts a robust infrastructure with significant investment in public transport, roads, and amenities. Nashville also has a strong infrastructure and is known for its well-planned road network and high-speed internet infrastructure.
Infrastructure
Type
Denver
Metropolitan Government
TV stations
17
19
Culture and Food
Denver's culture is marked by its outdoor lifestyle, craft beer scene, and western history. Nashville, the "Music City," is famous worldwide for its rich music heritage and southern cuisine.
Sports Teams
Denver hosts a number of major sports teams, including the Denver Broncos (NFL), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Rockies (MLB), and Colorado Avalanche (NHL). Nashville is no less fervent about sports, housing the Tennessee Titans (NFL), Nashville Predators (NHL), and Nashville SC (MLS).
Denver, CO
Metropolitan Government, TN
Denver, CO and 
Metropolitan Government, TN : 1,019.9 miles
