Boulder, CO vs Sacramento, 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
Sacramento
66.2
#1576 nationally
Boulder leads in school rating (8.4 vs 5.6). Sacramento leads in cost of living index (123 vs 165). Boulder leads in walk score (62 vs 47).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Sacramento, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 66.2 (#1576) |
| Population | 103,166 | 528,001 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $480,488 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $73,924 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 26.2 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 47 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 8.4 | 5.6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 123 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | D+19.7 |
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
66.2 Score
Sacramento, CA
California's capital with farm-to-fork pride
Median Home
$480,488
Population
528,001
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Pacific
View Sacramento, CA →
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