Boulder, CO vs Oakland, 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
Oakland
62
#1880 nationally
Boulder leads in school rating (8.4 vs 4.8). Boulder leads in average commute (21.4 min vs 32.1 min). Oakland leads in walk score (73 vs 62).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Oakland, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 62 (#1880) |
| Population | 103,166 | 433,823 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $717,798 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $85,459 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 32.1 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 73 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | High |
| School Rating | 8.4 | 4.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 155 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | D+53.6 |
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-
62 Score
Oakland, CA
Gritty, diverse, and full of culture
Median Home
$717,798
Population
433,823
Crime
High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Oakland, CA →