Rows tagged local are specific to Parker (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Denver, CO. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 6/10 (district Douglas County School District No. Re 1 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
105.8
metro-area
#174 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
101.6
metro-area
#163 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$6.02
metro-area
#174 of 200 metros
Median household income
$126,615
local
#502 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$57,500
local
#748 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
37.2 years
metro-area
#62 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
48.4%
metro-area
#13 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
12.1%
metro-area
#58 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
64.3%
metro-area
#124 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
3.23%
local
#584 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+14.9%
local
#414 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$573,000
local
#2595 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
4.5×
local
#2077 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
-2.9%
metro-area
#188 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$302
local
#2486 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,900 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,885
local
#2529 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
14,158
Median days on market
14
metro-area
#76 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
9.7%
state
#73 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
7.77%
state
#108 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
4.40%
Capital gains tax
4.40%
state
#97 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Taxed — taxes Social Security benefits, but income thresholds and age rules exempt many retirees — check the state's own limits before assuming you would owe
Effective property tax rate
0.53%
local
#246 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$3,024
local
#1265 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
78.8 years
metro-area
#38 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,800
state
#93 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
8.2%
metro-area
#97 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
88
metro-area
#43 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$16,000
state
#150 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$400
state
#193 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
1.79% of value (~$501/yr)
state
#168 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
5
Avg commute to work
26 min
local
#1449 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
65.2%
metro-area
#18 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
41.7%
metro-area
#170 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
16.5¢/kWh
state
#83 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$149
state
#83 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.30/gal
state
#94 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$65
state
#89 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$120
state
#127 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$87
state
#185 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,800
state
#149 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,000
state
#116 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: wildfire — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
90.6 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#110 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$550
state
#7 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
64
metro-area
#191 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
700
metro-area
#25 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
82%
state
#161 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
5,500
metro-area
#133 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
31
metro-area
#101 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
1
metro-area
#105 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
88°F
metro-area
#98 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
18°F
metro-area
#159 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
15.4"
metro-area
#23 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
49.0"
metro-area
#170 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
69%
metro-area
#29 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
5b
Frost window
05-10 → 10-10
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
490
state
#153 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,900
state
#173 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
45
metro-area
#118 of 200 metros
Parks
45
Hiking areas
27
Golf courses
27
Shooting ranges
3
Lakes
5
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#87 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.