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Cost of Living in Boulder County, CO

Population 328,961 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,966
Median home value$756,300
Median household income$103,994

The median rent in Boulder County, CO is $1,966/month, 12% higher than the Colorado median and 39% higher than the U.S. median. The median home value is $756,300, 127% higher than the national median. Households earn a median of $103,994 a year, 9% higher than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 22.7%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $78,640/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 7.3×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $3,824/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Boulder County vs. Colorado vs. U.S.

Boulder CountyColoradoU.S.
Median rent$1,966$1,761$1,413
Median home value$756,300$539,400$332,700
Median household income$103,994$95,470$80,734
Homeownership rate62.0%66.2%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher64.2%45.7%35.7%
Poverty rate11.2%9.4%12.5%
Unemployment rate4.8%4.6%5.2%
Work from home31.2%21.0%15.1%
Median age37.737.738.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Boulder County, CO?

The median gross rent in Boulder County, CO is $1,966 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Boulder County, CO?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $78,640 a year in gross income.

Is Boulder County, CO expensive to live in?

Rent there is 39% higher than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 7.3 times the median household income.

Other counties in Colorado

El Paso County, CORent $1,696 · Income $90,363Denver County, CORent $1,831 · Income $94,718Arapahoe County, CORent $1,891 · Income $101,087Jefferson County, CORent $1,861 · Income $110,656Adams County, CORent $1,781 · Income $94,571Douglas County, CORent $2,193 · Income $149,594

Counties with a similar cost of living

District of Columbia, DCRent $1,954 · Income $109,870Kitsap County, WARent $1,822 · Income $104,158San Luis Obispo County, CARent $1,992 · Income $97,446Snohomish County, WARent $1,949 · Income $111,246St. Johns County, FLRent $1,922 · Income $109,839Honolulu County, HIRent $2,083 · Income $106,195

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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