Living in Boulder, Colorado
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Boulder · Census data 2020–2024
Boulder has 106,433 residents with a median age of 28.8. The median household income is $87,493 (8% lower than the Colorado median), the median home value is $1,039,500, the median rent is $2,018/month.
Boulder at a glance
- Population
- 106,433
- Median age
- 28.8State: 37.7
- Median household income
- $87,493State: $95,470
- Median home value
- $1,039,500State: $539,400
- Median rent
- $2,018/moState: $1,761
- Homeowners
- 47.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 76.8%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Boulder a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 18 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 8% lower than the Colorado median; home values 93% higher than the state median; unemployment of 6%; a poverty rate of 21.5%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Boulder
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Boulder the median home value is $1,039,500, 212% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,018 per month, which is 44.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $3,210 a month in housing costs.
Boulder median household income
The median household income in Boulder is $87,493 and the income per person is $63,074. 21.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Colorado: 9.4%).
Housing in Boulder: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 47,465
- Owner-occupied
- 47.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 52.8%
- Vacant
- 6.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1977
- Average household size
- 2.12
Boulder demographics
- Population
- 106,433
- Median age
- 28.8
- Under 18
- 11.8%
- 65 and older
- 12.7%
- Households
- 44,432
- Foreign-born
- 10.8%
- Veterans
- 2.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Boulder ›
Education in Boulder
76.8% of adults 25 and older in Boulder have a bachelor's degree or higher (Colorado: 45.7%), and 40.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Boulder
- Unemployment rate
- 6%State: 4.6%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 34.4%
- Drive alone
- 39.1%
- Public transit
- 5.1%
- Walk to work
- 9.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 95.6%
Boulder vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | 106,433 | $87,493 | $1,039,500 | $2,018 |
| Pine Brook Hill | 543 | $63,606 | $1,099,100 | — |
| Paragon Estates | 667 | $230,268 | $1,617,500 | — |
| Gunbarrel | 10,051 | $109,407 | $821,000 | $1,972 |
| Tall Timber | 382 | $203,110 | $1,086,200 | — |
| Eldorado Springs | 320 | $133,008 | $809,200 | — |
| Lazy Acres | 778 | $147,625 | $1,024,700 | — |
| Crisman | 268 | $172,574 | $846,600 | — |
| Niwot | 3,447 | $146,492 | $995,700 | $1,414 |
More for people moving to Boulder
Boulder ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Boulder: FAQ
What is the median household income in Boulder, CO?
The median household income in Boulder is $87,493, 8% lower than the Colorado median of $95,470 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Boulder?
The median home value in Boulder is $1,039,500, compared with $539,400 in Colorado.
How much is rent in Boulder?
The median gross rent in Boulder is $2,018 per month, about 44.1% of household income.
Is Boulder, CO a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 18 minutes. Minuses: median household income 8% lower than the Colorado median; home values 93% higher than the state median; unemployment of 6%; a poverty rate of 21.5%.
What is the median age in Boulder?
The median age in Boulder is 28.8 years (Colorado: 37.7).
How long is the commute in Boulder?
The average commute to work in Boulder is 18 minutes; 34.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Boulder?
The unemployment rate in Boulder is 6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Boulder?
76.8% of adults in Boulder have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
Last updated: