At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Parker
Broomfield
Advantages
Broomfield consistently ranks high for safety, named the #1 safest midsize city in the U.S. by SmartAsset.
The city boasts a high livability score of 85/100, ranking in the 98th percentile nationally.
Broomfield has a strong and growing job market, with employment increasing by 1.43% from 2023 to 2024.
The average commute time of 25.5 minutes is efficient for a metro area of its size, aided by good regional access via US 36.
The city offers extensive open spaces and recreational opportunities, including over 8,000 acres of trails and parks.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Broomfield is approximately 20% higher than the national average, primarily due to housing costs.
Broomfield has a low Walk Score of 16 and a Transit Score of 10, indicating high car dependency.
While overall crime is low, the overall crime rate is higher than the average US city when considering all crime types.
The housing market is considered overvalued relative to local economic output, with a housing ratio of 10.4x.
Some residents express concerns about environmental factors like air quality from wildfire smoke and past issues related to Rocky Flats.
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Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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