Comparing West Adams and Arvada, Colorado, various factors come into play that contrast these two cities. The two cities, although located in the same state, present quite different living and visiting experiences. From the impact of the weather, cost of living, educational opportunities, economic conditions, to the available infrastructure and cultural attractions, every aspect plays a part in making each city uniquely appealing or otherwise. This detailed comparison will provide a comprehensive understanding for anyone targeting to either relocate or visit these cities.
West Adams, a quieter and more rural region, has a lower crime rate compared to the state average. Arvada, despite being a larger city, is significantly safer than other US cities of similar size. Both cities pride themselves on community-led safety initiatives which promote secure environments for families and tourists alike. The feeling of safety can vary in different neighborhoods, however, on the whole, both cities promote a secure environment.
Cost of Living
Living in Arvada tends to be more expensive than in West Adams, majorly because of the housing costs. When considering overall expenses including groceries, healthcare, and transportation, Arvada tends to be costlier than West Adams, which typically aligns with the state median.
Income Tax
Both cities fall under the flat state income tax rate of Colorado, which is 4.63%. Neither city imposes any additional city income tax.
Property Tax
Property taxes in Arvada are slightly higher than in West Adams reflecting the higher value of property in the city. Both cities fall below the national average for property tax rates.
Sales Tax
Both cities have their own city sales tax in addition to the state's 2.9% rate, leading to reasonably high overall sales taxes. West Adams and Arvada both attempt to use these additional tax revenues for improvements in local infrastructure and services.
Income
Type
West Adams
Arvada
Estimated median household income
$86,329
$92,647
Estimated per capita income
$37,504
$46,680
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
117.6
109.6
If you make $50,000 in Arvada, you will have to make $53,650 in West Adams to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Arvada is a flat city situated between Denver and the Rocky Mountains. West Adams offers varying geography with plateaus and valleys, highlighting the rural Colorado landscape.
Geographical information
Type
West Adams
Arvada
Land area
74.5 sq. miles
32.7 sq. miles
Population density
4,165.7 people per sq. mile
3,779.9 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
West Adams, CO Arvada, CO
Education
Both cities boast good school systems. Arvada, with its larger population and stronger economy, offers more educational opportunities, including multiple high schools and proximity to post-secondary institutions. West Adams, though smaller, still has quality schools but with fewer choices for residents.
Arvada has a diverse economy with robust services, retail, and manufacturing sectors. West Adams, being more rural, relies more on agriculture and smaller local businesses. Unemployment rates tend to be a little lower in Arvada due to the higher diversity of industry sectors available.
Biggest Employers
In Arvada, major employers include King Soopers grocery chain, SCL Health Lutheran medical center, and Home Depot. In West Adams, the employment scene is dominated by local businesses often related to the agricultural sector.
In West Adams (Adams County), 57.3% voted for Democrats and 40.4% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Arvada (Jefferson County), 51.6% voted for Democrats and 46.7% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
West Adams
Arvada
West Adams
Arvada
West Adams
Arvada
2020
57.1%
58.3%
40.7%
39.7%
2.2%
2.0%
2016
50.1%
49.2%
41.6%
42.3%
8.3%
8.6%
2012
57.3%
51.6%
40.4%
46.7%
2.3%
1.8%
2008
58.5%
54.0%
40.1%
44.9%
1.4%
1.1%
2004
50.7%
46.9%
48.4%
52.1%
0.9%
1.0%
2000
50.3%
43.0%
44.2%
51.1%
5.5%
5.9%
1996
51.3%
42.7%
38.9%
48.4%
9.8%
8.9%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
West Adams
Arvada
West Adams
Arvada
CATHOLIC CHURCH
16.0%
15.0%
4.5%
5.1%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.7%
1.1%
3.3%
3.3%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.7%
1.2%
7.8%
7.5%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.4%
1.7%
2.5%
4.2%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.4%
3.3%
2.1%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.1%
0.5%
1.2%
2.7%
Weather
Both located within Colorado, West Adams and Arvada share similar weather systems which involve cold, snowy winters and hot summers. Residents and tourists alike can enjoy outdoor activities such as skiing in winter and hiking or biking in summer. Arvada tends to have a bit more sunshine on average than West Adams.
Weather and climate
Type
West Adams
Arvada
Temperature - Average
49.9°F
49°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
50.6%
50.6%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
20%
20%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
55%
55%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
35%
35%
Precipitation - Yearly average
13.3 in
17.7 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
114 in
114 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
19.2%
19.2%
Sunshine amount - Average
75.6%
75.6%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
10%
10%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
74%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
64%
64%
Wind speed - Average
8.6 mph
8.6 mph
Average climate in West Adams, Colorado
Average climate in Arvada, Colorado
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
West Adams
Arvada
West Adams
Arvada
West Adams
Arvada
West Adams
Arvada
West Adams
Arvada
West Adams
Arvada
West Adams
Arvada
West Adams
Arvada
2018
104
104
0.31
0.36
18.6
21.5
27.9
32.4
N/A
N/A
29.2
29.2
9.2
8.6
0.8
0.7
2017
97
97
0.31
0.36
18.8
21.7
27.6
31.9
N/A
N/A
22.0
22.0
8.9
8.3
0.9
0.8
2016
90
90
0.40
0.41
20.9
23.9
26.6
31.4
N/A
N/A
22.6
22.6
8.4
7.9
0.9
1.0
2015
101
101
0.42
0.42
19.7
22.5
25.9
30.0
N/A
N/A
20.2
20.8
9.4
9.3
1.1
1.0
2014
94
94
0.38
0.41
19.1
21.6
27.4
30.5
N/A
N/A
19.3
23.9
10.1
10.1
1.2
1.3
2013
83
84
0.37
0.38
17.3
19.6
27.5
30.7
N/A
N/A
18.7
23.2
N/A
N/A
1.3
1.4
2012
90
91
0.37
0.35
18.9
18.9
27.4
31.7
N/A
N/A
23.5
24.0
N/A
N/A
0.9
1.1
2011
90
90
0.35
0.35
18.1
18.1
28.0
29.2
N/A
N/A
24.0
23.9
N/A
N/A
1.4
1.5
2010
78
79
0.37
0.41
16.3
16.3
26.6
27.2
N/A
N/A
27.1
26.7
N/A
N/A
1.0
1.0
2009
76
76
0.35
0.37
14.1
14.1
26.6
25.4
0.005
0.005
23.0
22.8
N/A
N/A
1.3
1.3
2008
85
85
0.39
0.41
17.3
17.3
27.9
28.7
0.008
0.008
25.9
25.7
N/A
N/A
1.6
1.6
2007
96
96
0.46
0.42
20.6
20.6
25.4
26.7
0.007
0.007
27.8
28.5
N/A
N/A
1.2
1.2
2006
89
89
0.49
0.40
19.0
19.0
24.1
27.7
0.034
0.036
28.0
28.0
N/A
N/A
1.4
1.4
2005
86
86
0.56
0.45
21.3
21.3
21.4
22.6
0.124
0.143
29.5
29.5
N/A
N/A
1.5
1.5
2004
82
82
0.59
0.48
21.2
21.2
19.4
19.8
0.051
0.056
28.6
28.6
N/A
N/A
1.9
1.8
2003
106
106
0.55
0.49
21.2
21.2
21.1
21.6
0.055
0.060
32.6
32.6
N/A
N/A
1.9
1.9
2002
86
86
0.56
0.58
19.2
19.2
20.9
21.2
0.034
0.038
35.7
35.7
N/A
N/A
2.4
2.4
2001
95
95
0.69
0.47
24.6
16.9
17.7
19.7
0.040
0.043
32.6
32.6
N/A
N/A
2.5
2.6
2000
94
94
0.67
0.63
14.1
10.3
19.0
20.5
0.042
0.045
12.2
12.2
N/A
N/A
2.1
2.1
Natural disasters
Type
West Adams
Arvada
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
130.2%
119.7%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
809.2%
824.4%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
11%
12%
Transportation
Public transit options are more available in Arvada due to its larger size. West Adams is more car-dependent with public transit options being quite limited. Both cities provide satisfactory commuting experiences.
Transport
Type
West Adams
Arvada
Amtrak stations nearby
3
2
FAA registered aircraft
0
75
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
0
4
Means of transportation to work
Type
West Adams
Arvada
Bicycle
0.2%
0.9%
Bus
4.2%
1%
Carpooled
13.1%
9%
Car alone
77.4%
85.6%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.1%
Walked
1.1%
1.9%
Average travel time to work
Type
West Adams
Arvada
Average
28.2 min
24.8 min
Real Estate
Real estate in Arvada is more expensive, with a wide variety of houses on offer. West Adams has more affordable housing options, though less variety due to its smaller size.
Neighborhoods
Arvada has many welcoming neighborhoods, each with its unique charm. Famous for its stunning view of the Rockies, people love living in West Adams for its serene rural ambiance.
Houses and residents
Type
West Adams
Arvada
Houses
96,976
51,928
Average household size (people)
2.7
2.5
Houses occupied
94,294 (97.2%)
50,678 (97.6%)
Houses occupied by owners
68,196 (72.3%)
38,303 (75.6%)
Houses occupied by renters
26,098 (27.7%)
12,375 (24.4%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,683
$4,065
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$576,371
$354,849
Estimated median house or condo value
$438,983
$537,900
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.1
4.3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.8
7.5
Renting percentage
35.7%
26.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,301.4
1,590.1
Household income disparities
38.2%
39.8%
Housing units without a mortgage
8,555 (15.5%)
402 (1.4%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
181 (0.3%)
2,690 (9.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
46,792 (84.5%)
28,410 (98.6%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
4,321 (7.8%)
0 (0%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
10,023 (18.1%)
3,295 (11.4%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.3%
1.3%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
6,415
3,263
State government workers
3,185
2,288
Unpaid family workers
326
0
Industries and Occupations
Arvada has a mix of occupations with a significant presence of healthcare, retail, and professional services. The city also has a small but flourishing tech industry. West Adams has more agricultural and local service-oriented jobs, reflecting its quieter country lifestyle.
Arvada has greater access to healthcare facilities, including hospitals and clinics. With its smaller size and rural location, healthcare services in West Adams are somewhat limited, but sufficient for its residents.
Health (county statistics)
Type
West Adams
Arvada
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Arvada has a more developed infrastructure, benefitting from its larger population and urban environment. It features a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. West Adams, with its rural character, offers less in the way of amenities but maintains its charm through natural landscapes and smaller scale infrastructures.
Infrastructure
Type
West Adams
Arvada
TV stations
17
20
Culture and Food
Arvada celebrates its culture with a number of festivals throughout the year, and its food scene offers a variety of cuisines. West Adams, although quieter, provides traditional American fare in a picturesque rural setting.
Sports Teams
Arvada residents support Denver's sports teams, due to its proximity to the city. Likewise, West Adams residents are known to support state teams with enthusiasm.
West Adams, CO
Arvada, CO
West Adams, CO and 
Arvada, CO : 7.4 miles
