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City guide · Colorado

Moving to Boulder, CO

CU, Flatirons, eye-watering housing.

Pop. 108kCost index 109.0 · 100 = US avgMedian rent $2,400/moMedian home $845kWalk score 56

Boulder (metro area) has an overall price level 109.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
109.0
Housing index
127.4
Groceries index (modeled)
102.3
Utilities index (modeled)
101.3
Electricity rate
16.7 ¢/kWh
Transportation index (modeled)
101.8
Median home value (est.)
$845,000
Median monthly rent (est.)
$2,400/mo

Sources: BLS LAUS 2026-04 · Census ACS 2024 (live) state-level

Colorado unemployment is 3.9% with median household income $97k.

Unemployment rate
3.9%
Median household income
$97,113
Per-capita income
$54,531
Labor-force participation
68.7%
Right-to-work state
No
Nurse Licensure Compact
Member

Sources: FEMA NRI 2025 · Census ACS 2024 (live) city-level

Boulder: median home value $845,000.

Home value
$845,000
Rent
$2,400/mo
Homeownership rate
66.0%
Natural-hazard risk (FEMA county avg)
41/100
Hurricane exposure
Low
Wildfire exposure
Elevated
Tornado risk
Low
Earthquake risk
Low

Colorado 4th-grade math proficiency: 41.6% at/above NAEP proficient.

4th-grade math proficiency
41.6%
Per-pupil spending
$12,185
Student–teacher ratio (est.)
16
Public 4-yr grad rate
53.0%
Notable universities
Public flagship + regional schools

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