Boulder, CO vs Orange, 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
Orange
63.3
#1780 nationally
Orange leads in median household income ($109,335 vs $86,098). Boulder leads in average commute (21.4 min vs 26.5 min). Boulder leads in walk score (62 vs 51).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Orange, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 63.3 (#1780) |
| Population | 103,166 | 138,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $1,136,729 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $109,335 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 26.5 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 51 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 6.2 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | D+2.6 |
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
63.3 Score
Orange, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,136,729
Population
138,337
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
51
Pacific
View Orange, CA →