MoveMap

Moving to Boulder

What you need to know before relocating to Boulder, Colorado. Data-driven insights on housing, jobs, safety, and quality of life.

Is Boulder a Good Place to Live?

Boulder presents a mixed picture. Prospective residents should weigh the tradeoffs carefully. Key considerations: rent ($1,915/mo) is above the national average; home prices ($763,600) are above the us median.

Boulder at a Glance

Population
327K
Median Income
$95,363
Median Rent
$1,915/mo
Median Home Price
$763,600
Unemployment
3.2%
Avg Commute
126056 min

Cost of Living in Boulder

The median rent in Boulder is $1,915/month, while the median home value is $763,600. With a median household income of $95,363, residents spend roughly 24% of monthly income on rent.

Overall, the Boulder metro area is classified as average compared to other US metros.

Rent vs. National Avg
37% above
Home Price vs. National Avg
150% above

Job Market

Boulder has a median household income of $95,363, which is 28% above the national median. The local unemployment rate is 3.2%, compared to the national average of 3.7%.

Safety in Boulder

The violent crime rate in Boulder is 474 per 100,000 residents, which is 25% above the national average of 380.

Property crime rate: 2879 per 100,000 residents.

Education in Colorado

Colorado has a high school graduation rate of 90% and per-pupil spending of $16,410/year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1.

46% of Colorado adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Healthcare Access

Colorado has 268 physicians per 100,000 residents, a 6.7% uninsured rate, and 2.3 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Life expectancy in Colorado is 78.4 years.

Pros and Cons of Living in Boulder

+Pros

  • Median household income ($95,363) exceeds the national median
  • Low uninsured rate (6.7%) and good healthcare access

-Cons

  • Rent ($1,915/mo) is above the national average
  • Home prices ($763,600) are above the US median
  • Longer-than-average commute (126056 min)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boulder a good place to live?

Boulder has both advantages and drawbacks. Prospective residents should weigh rent ($1,915/mo) is above the national average and home prices ($763,600) are above the us median against other lifestyle factors.

What is the cost of living in Boulder?

The median rent in Boulder is $1,915/month and the median home value is $763,600. The median household income is $95,363. Overall the metro is considered average.

Is Boulder safe?

Boulder has a violent crime rate of 474 incidents per 100,000 residents. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.

What is the job market like in Boulder?

Boulder has an unemployment rate of 3.2%, compared to the national average of 3.7%. The median household income is $95,363.

Explore More About Boulder