Boston, MA vs Boulder, CO
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Boston
66.2
#1568 nationally
Boulder
67.4
#1424 nationally
Boulder leads in average commute (21.4 min vs 30.2 min). Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 62). Boulder leads in school rating (8.4 vs 7.2).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Boulder, CO |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 67.4 (#1424) |
| Population | 684,379 | 103,166 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $957,377 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $86,098 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 21.4 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 62 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | Moderate-Low |
| School Rating | 7.2 | 8.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 165 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+55.8 |
D
66.2 Score
Boston, MA
Innovation hub with historic charm
Median Home
$787,763
Population
684,379
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Northeast
View Boston, MA →
D+
67.4 Score
Boulder, CO
Nature meets innovation at the Flatirons
Median Home
$957,377
Population
103,166
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
A
West
View Boulder, CO →