Golden, Colorado
Among the top 8% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 20% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade C, better than 47% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 27% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A, better than 92% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade A, better than 89% of US places
- top 8% for summer humidity
- top 9% for sunny days
- bottom 1% for annual snowfall
Golden is a town in Colorado with about 20,000 residents. It grades A for getting around and D for affordability. Standout strengths include summer humidity, sunny days, and property tax rate. It rates lower on property crime and annual snowfall.
- The median home value in Golden is $699k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in Golden is $91k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in Golden is $2k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Golden has a violent crime rate of 657/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- The average one-way commute in Golden is 24 min, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
Climate
Warm, dry summers · Cold winters · Dry · Heavy snow
very cold
cold
cool
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warm
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v.cold
73%56%clearovercast
Precipitation 2.5 in0.8 in
dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$91k80th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$63kbetter than 9% of US places
Home Value$699k95th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$2kbetter than 11% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$5kbetter than 8% of US places
Property Tax Rate0.47%better than 91% of US places
Income Tax4.40%better than 65% of US places
Sales Tax7.81%better than 42% of US places
Estimated total tax burden10.55%better than 40% of US places
Unemployment4.6%better than 43% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)29°F37th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)69°F10th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation20.8 in15th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall140.5 inbetter than 1% of US places
Sunny Days283 daysbetter than 91% of US places
Summer Humidity48°Fbetter than 92% of US places
Comfortable Days33 daysbetter than 4% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk44.0better than 78% of US places
Air Quality50 AQIbetter than 21% of US places
School Quality56.1better than 46% of US places
Violent Crime657/100kbetter than 54% of US places
Property Crime4079/100kbetter than 3% of US places
Community
Population20,46193rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age35.223rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.2150th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.4191st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningD+1915th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)83.5%47th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)1.6%63rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)10.1%73rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)1.7%78th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)3.2%54th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time24 minbetter than 64% of US places
Walkability10.1/20better than 86% of US places
Airport Distance29 mibetter than 82% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access91.2%better than 69% of US places
Amenities Nearby145.64better than 63% of US places
Park & Nature AccessExcellentbetter than 88% of US places
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Golden an affordable place to live?
- Golden is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $63k, better than 9% of comparable areas. Median rent is $2k.
- Is Golden safe?
- Golden is about average for safety comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 657/100k (better than 54%). Property crime is 4079/100k.
- What is the weather like in Golden?
- Golden averages 69°F in July and 29°F in January, with 20.8 in of annual precipitation and about 283 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Golden?
- Public-school quality in Golden is about average, scoring better than 46% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Golden?
- The average one-way commute in Golden is 24 min.