Boulder, CO vs San Mateo, 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
San Mateo
63
#1808 nationally
San Mateo leads in median household income ($149,152 vs $86,098). Boulder leads in cost of living index (165 vs 249). Boulder leads in average commute (21.4 min vs 28.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | San Mateo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 63 (#1808) |
| Population | 103,166 | 101,327 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $1,685,162 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $149,152 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 68 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 6.7 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 249 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | D+50.3 |
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 Score
San Mateo, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,685,162
Population
101,327
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
68
Pacific
View San Mateo, CA →