Living in Boulder, CO
Boulder is the 311th-largest city in the US, home to about 106,000 people in 2025. It has lost 2.6% of its population since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (105.2 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 105,689-2.6% since 2020
- Median home value
- $1,039,50011.9 years of median income
- Median rent
- $2,018/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $87,493median, per year
- Price level
- 105.2US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 47° / 88°lows 22° / 57°
- Average commute
- 18 min34% work from home
- State income tax
- 4.4%top rate, flat
Been to Boulder?
Added to your city passport. See things to do
County: Boulder County
Time zone: Mountain Time (UTC-7, UTC-6 in summer)
Elevation: about 5,328 ft
Metro area: Boulder, CO
Cost of living in Boulder
The median home in Boulder is worth $1,039,500 and the median household earns $87,493 a year, so a typical home costs about 11.9 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $2,018 a month, about 28% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Boulder, CO metro area at 105.2, with housing at 157.0 and goods at 96.1 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $78,900 here. Colorado taxes wages at a top rate of 4.4% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Colorado is 7.89%.
What would my salary be worth in Boulder?
Boulder weather
Average highs run from 47°F in January to 88°F in July, and January nights average 22°F. It gets 21 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 93 inches of snow. Expect about 33 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Nights drop below freezing about 138 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to June and August to September.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Boulder
People and work
The median resident is 28.8 years old, and 77% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 47% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 18 minutes; 34% of workers work from home and 5% take public transit.
- Median age
- 28.822nd youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 77%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 47%of households
- People per sq mile
- 3,93226.9 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 5%10% walk, 8% bike
- Unemployment
- 6%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 21.5%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1977median year
Who moves to Boulder, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), Chicago (Cook County) and Phoenix (Maricopa County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), Seattle (King County) and Phoenix (Maricopa County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Boulder County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: lightning, tornado, wildfire, winter weather.
Home prices
-2.3% in a year
Up 23% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Boulder, CO area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
58% good days
3 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Boulder, CO area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Pros and cons of living in Boulder
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Commutes are short: 18 minutes each way on average.
- Data A highly educated city: 77% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Cons
- Data Homes are expensive for local pay: the median home costs 11.9 years of median household income.
- Data Winters are snowy: about 93 inches a year.
Boulder report card from locals
0 of 5 reports so far. We show the Boulder report card once 5 residents have rated it, so one opinion never stands in for a whole city. Live here? Add yours.
Rate Boulder (2 minutes)
Lived here once? Map every city you have lived in and see how your homes compare.
Ask a local about Boulder
No questions yet. Thinking about a move? Ask about neighborhoods, schools, winters, traffic or anything else, and people who live in Boulder can answer.
Boulder through locals' eyes
No resident photos yet. Share the view from your street, your favorite park or the city on a good day.
Share a photo
Contributions are read by a person before they appear. We remove ads, links, personal attacks and anything about private people. See the most helpful locals.
Cities near Boulder
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longmont, CO | 13 mi | 100,109 | $572,800 | 105.2 | Compare |
| Broomfield, CO | 13 mi | 79,174 | $664,500 | 105.8 | Compare |
| Arvada, CO | 18 mi | 122,901 | $632,600 | 105.8 | Compare |
| Westminster, CO | 18 mi | 116,182 | $532,400 | 105.8 | Compare |
| Thornton, CO | 20 mi | 147,766 | $517,500 | 105.8 | Compare |
| Lakewood, CO | 24 mi | 156,927 | $574,400 | 105.8 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Boulder with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Boulder a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show short commutes; the trade-offs are expensive homes relative to local incomes, heavy snow, a shrinking population. Compare Boulder side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Boulder?
The Census Bureau estimates Boulder had 105,689 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 108,536 in April 2020 (-2.6%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Boulder?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $78,900 in the Boulder area. The median household here earns $87,493.
When is the best time to visit Boulder?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to June and August to September are the most comfortable months. July averages 88°F and January 47°F for daytime highs.
What county is Boulder in?
Boulder is in Boulder County, Colorado. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Boulder in?
Boulder is on Mountain Time (UTC-7, or UTC-6 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Boulder?
About 5,328 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city. At over a mile high, the air is thinner and the sun is stronger.
Does Colorado have a state income tax?
Yes. Colorado has a flat income tax with a top rate of 4.4% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Boulder. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Boulder, CO metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Boulder, CO station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.