Is Federal Way cheaper than Denver?

No. Denver is cheaper: typical rent is $2,089 a month versus $2,501 in Federal Way — 16% lower. Median household income is $80,360 in Federal Way compared with $85,853 in Denver, so Denver has the stronger local pay picture.

Which city is safer, Federal Way or Denver?

Federal Way 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, Federal Way or Denver?

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

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City comparison

Federal Way, WA vs Denver, CO

Federal Way, 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 $2,501 a month in Federal Way and $2,089 in Denver, and median household income lands at $80,360 versus $85,853. Open either city's full report when you want the block-level detail behind these headlines.

Federal Way takes safety and weather, while Denver takes affordability and job market. The widest gap is typical weather, where Federal Way leads by 26% — 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 Federal Way can feel further apart than Federal Way and Denver do on paper. Use this page to pick a city, then use the Federal Way and Denver reports to pick a neighborhood — and visit in the season you like least before you sign anything.

Full Federal Way report Full Denver report

Federal Way, WA

Rent: $2,501/mo
Median income: $80,360
Crime index: 116
Schools: A-
Weather: 65°F

Denver, CO

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

Rent

16% cheaper

Denver rent is 16% cheaper than Federal Way

Federal Way

$2,501/mo

Denver

Winner

$2,089/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $2,089 a month in Denver versus $2,501 in Federal Way, so Denver is 16% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $4,944 — enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Denver still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Federal Way.

Median income

7% higher

Denver's median income is 7% higher than Federal Way

Federal Way

$80,360

Denver

Winner

$85,853

What this means for your life

Median household income is $85,853 in Denver versus $80,360 in Federal Way, so typical pay runs 7% higher in Denver — about $5,493 more household income a year. The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.

Crime index

15% lower crime

Federal Way's crime index is 15% lower than Denver

Federal Way

Winner

116 (100 = avg)

Denver

137 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Federal Way's crime index is 116 versus 137 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 15% lower in Federal Way. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Federal Way, 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

Federal Way and Denver are about even on school scores.

Federal Way

A- · 84/100

Denver

A- · 84/100

What this means for your life

School composites are effectively even (A- in Federal Way, 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

26% more comfortable

Federal Way weather is 26% more comfortable than Denver

Federal Way

Winner

65°F typical

Denver

82°F typical

What this means for your life

Federal Way scores 26% more comfortable on this page's weather index, which rewards temperatures closer to a livable outdoor day. Typical temperatures sit around 65°F in Federal Way and 82°F in Denver. Federal Way reads as mild, livable temperatures; 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. Federal Way 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 Federal Way

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

Pick Federal Way if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (65°F) beat Denver on this page's weather index by 26%. Denver may pay more or cost less, but Federal Way is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Federal Way 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 Federal Way report →

Fit check

Who should choose Denver

Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth

Denver is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 16% cheaper here at about $2,089 a month. Choose Denver if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.

Denver is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 7% 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

Federal Way vs Denver, called

If weather is your priority, Federal Way is the clear choice.

If cost of living matters more to you, Denver pulls ahead.

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

Common questions

Federal Way vs Denver FAQ

Is Federal Way cheaper than Denver?: No. Denver is cheaper: typical rent is $2,089 a month versus $2,501 in Federal Way — 16% lower. Median household income is $80,360 in Federal Way compared with $85,853 in Denver, so Denver has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Federal Way or Denver?: Federal Way 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, Federal Way or Denver?: School composites are close: A- in Federal Way and A- in Denver. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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