Boulder, CO vs Lowell, MA
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
Lowell
67.3
#1437 nationally
Lowell leads in cost of living index (126 vs 165). Boulder leads in average commute (21.4 min vs 27.2 min). Boulder leads in median household income ($86,098 vs $73,008).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lowell, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 67.3 (#1437) |
| Population | 103,166 | 114,296 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $492,877 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $73,008 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 27.2 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 67 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 14.6 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 126 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | D+39.5 |
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 →
D+
67.3 Score
Lowell, MA
Mid-size Massachusetts city with community character
Median Home
$492,877
Population
114,296
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
67
Northeast
View Lowell, MA →