Boulder, CO vs Carson, CA
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.
Boulder
67.4
#1424 nationally
Carson
63.8
#1737 nationally
Boulder leads in average commute (21.4 min vs 27.6 min). Carson leads in median household income ($103,045 vs $86,098). Boulder leads in walk score (62 vs 55).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Carson, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 63.8 (#1737) |
| Population | 103,166 | 91,139 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $796,912 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $103,045 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 27.6 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 55 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 11.5 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 154 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | D+32.9 |
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 →
D
63.8 Score
Carson, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$796,912
Population
91,139
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
55
Pacific
View Carson, CA →