Boulder, CO vs Surprise, AZ
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
Surprise
71
#1038 nationally
Boulder leads in walk score (62 vs 21). Surprise leads in cost of living index (115 vs 165). Boulder leads in average commute (21.4 min vs 30.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Surprise, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 71 (#1038) |
| Population | 103,166 | 158,285 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $419,342 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $87,756 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 21 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 3.0 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 115 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | R+3.5 |
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
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C-
71 Score
Surprise, AZ
Mid-size Arizona city with community character
Median Home
$419,342
Population
158,285
Crime
Low
Walk Score
21
Southwest
View Surprise, AZ →