We put Denver up against 12 metros its size, one at a time, on every measure where both have data. Denver comes out ahead in all 12 matchups, by as much as 31–11 against San Diego.
Each row is one matchup: how many measures Denver wins, how many the other metro wins, and where Denver pulls furthest ahead. Click through for the full scorecard, the questions people ask, and what changes if you move.
Across all 42 measures, Denver finishes top nine on 38, more than any other metro. Other cities have a best stat. Denver has the best record. And a few things none of them have: the most U.S. nonstop destinations of any American airport, more high country than the other 12 metros combined, and Red Rocks.
| Matchup | Record (Denver first) | Where Denver wins biggest |
|---|---|---|
| Denver vs. San Diego | 31–11 | Nonstop destinations 219 vs. 77 Natural hazard risk 95.2 vs. 99.7 |
| Denver vs. Portland | 27–13 (1 tied) | Nonstop destinations 219 vs. 73 Airport passengers 82.4M vs. 18.6M |
| Denver vs. Nashville | 27–15 | Adult obesity 21.6% vs. 32.5% Physical inactivity 17.5% vs. 25.1% |
| Denver vs. Boston | 25–15 (1 tied) | Outdoor rec economy 3.3% vs. 1.9% Drive to a national park 1h 43m vs. 5h 19m |
| Denver vs. Minneapolis | 25–16 (1 tied) | Drive to a national park 1h 43m vs. 5h 26m Property tax rate 0.47% vs. 1.10% |
| Denver vs. SF Bay Area | 25–17 | Natural hazard risk 95.2 vs. 99.5 Labor force participation 71.1% vs. 65.7% |
| Denver vs. Charlotte | 24–18 | Outdoor rec economy 3.3% vs. 2.1% Physical inactivity 17.5% vs. 21.1% |
| Denver vs. Austin | 23–18 (1 tied) | Drive to a national park 1h 43m vs. 7h 34m Property tax rate 0.47% vs. 1.31% |
| Denver vs. Raleigh | 23–19 | Airport passengers 82.4M vs. 15.6M Nonstop destinations 219 vs. 76 |
| Denver vs. Seattle | 22–18 (1 tied) | Natural hazard risk 95.2 vs. 99.7 Sunny days 245 days vs. 140 days |
| Denver vs. Phoenix | 22–20 | Natural hazard risk 95.2 vs. 99.9 Adult obesity 21.6% vs. 30.6% |
| Denver vs. Salt Lake City | 20–18 (2 tied) | Nonstop destinations 219 vs. 103 Drive to a national park 1h 43m vs. 4h 21m |
A measure counts for whichever metro ranks higher on it among all 13. Sources and methods are on the main page.