Boulder, Colorado
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Boulder.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Boulder?
Boulder planning snapshot: population 106,803, housing index 233 (well above the U.S. housing-cost baseline), median home $982,600, median rent $1,924, and income near $85,364. Expect 65°F summer highs, 12°F winter lows, and about 19-minute one-way commutes. Violent-offense rates run about 256.2 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 233U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $982,600U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,924U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $85,364U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.0%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 19 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 256.2per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 65°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Boulder compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 106,803City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $85,364Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year9% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 233ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year133% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $982,600City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year224% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,924City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year43% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.0%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 19 min24% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 5522% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 256.2annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)56% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 3026.2annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)Near U.S. avg (3087.9)U.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 65°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals22.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 12°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals22.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 33.9 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (33 in)U.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 198As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals26% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Boulder grew 9.3% from 97,752 in 2010 to 106,803 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Boulder expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Boulder runs 133 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 233 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $982,600 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,924 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Boulder?
Budget first around $1,924/month rent or $982,600 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $982,600
- Median rent $1,924/month
- Median household income $85,364
What is the job market like in Boulder?
Labor-market context for Boulder: unemployment 4.0% and median income $85,364. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 4.0% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $85,364
How long is the typical commute in Boulder?
Plan on roughly 19 minutes each way in Boulder. Walk Score estimates around 55 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 19 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 55/100
Is Boulder safer than similar U.S. cities?
Boulder's FBI-derived violent rate (~256.2/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 256.2 per 100k
- Property 3026.2 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Boulder?
Boulder's climate profile: 65°F summer peaks, 12°F winter mornings, 33.9" annual rainfall, and 198 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 65°F
- Winter low 12°F
- 33.9 in rain · 198 sunny days
High plains sun and Front Range mountain access pull outdoor-oriented movers. Winter lows around 12°F mean heating costs and snow logistics belong on the checklist. Average one-way commute time is about 19 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 55/100. Labor-market readings near 4.0% unemployment are neither boom nor bust by national standards. Violent-offense rates around 256.2 per 100k are moderate for a large U.S. city, with meaningful variation by neighborhood.
About 106,803 people live in Boulder, CO. With median income around $85,364 and a cost index of 233, the market reads well above the national housing-cost baseline. Ownership is a high bar — typical values near $982,600 push many newcomers toward renting first.
Boulder is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Boulder with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Boulder city, 1600000US0807850) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Boulder County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00094075 BOULDER 14 W) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10