Boulder, CO vs Houston, TX
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
Houston
72.1
#926 nationally
Houston leads in cost of living index (96 vs 165). Boulder leads in school rating (8.4 vs 5.5). Boulder leads in median household income ($86,098 vs $57,791).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 72.1 (#926) |
| Population | 103,166 | 2,314,157 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $263,563 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $57,791 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 48 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 8.4 | 5.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 96 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | D+5.5 |
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 →
C-
72.1 Score
Houston, TX
Space City with global energy
Median Home
$263,563
Population
2,314,157
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Southwest
View Houston, TX →