Boulder, CO vs Mountain View, 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
Mountain View
63.3
#1779 nationally
Mountain View leads in median household income ($174,156 vs $86,098). Boulder leads in cost of living index (165 vs 285). Boulder leads in average commute (21.4 min vs 24.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Mountain View, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 63.3 (#1779) |
| Population | 103,166 | 81,785 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $1,962,774 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $174,156 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 24.2 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 66 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 8.4 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 285 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | D+40.0 |
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
63.3 Score
Mountain View, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,962,774
Population
81,785
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
66
Pacific
View Mountain View, CA →
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