Cost of Living in Boulder, CO
Population 106,433 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates
The median rent in Boulder, CO is $2,018/month, 15% higher than the Colorado median and 43% higher than the U.S. median. The median home value is $1,039,500, 212% higher than the national median. Households earn a median of $87,493 a year, 8% lower than the state median.
Affordability
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Boulder vs. Colorado vs. U.S.
| Boulder | Colorado | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $2,018 | $1,761 | $1,413 |
| Median home value | $1,039,500 | $539,400 | $332,700 |
| Median household income | $87,493 | $95,470 | $80,734 |
| Homeownership rate | 47.2% | 66.2% | 65.2% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 76.8% | 45.7% | 35.7% |
| Poverty rate | 21.5% | 9.4% | 12.5% |
| Unemployment rate | 6.0% | 4.6% | 5.2% |
| Work from home | 34.4% | 21.0% | 15.1% |
| Median age | 28.8 | 37.7 | 38.9 |
FAQ
What is the average rent in Boulder, CO?
The median gross rent in Boulder, CO is $2,018 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).
How much do I need to earn to live in Boulder, CO?
Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $80,720 a year in gross income.
Is Boulder, CO expensive to live in?
Rent there is 43% higher than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 11.9 times the median household income.
Other cities in Colorado
Cities with a similar cost of living
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
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