salaryRent is higher than in 77% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 11.0 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 18.1 minutes. It is a highly educated city: 76.8% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $88,800 a year. That is $43 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Colorado cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Colorado. It is number 69 of 112 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Boulder?
Share of households by yearly income. 38.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Boulder
| Size | Boulder | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,581 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,822 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,268 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,924 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,466 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Boulder overall?
Everyday prices in the Boulder metro area are 5% above the U.S. average (index 105.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Boulder
Life in Boulder
What jobs pay in Boulder
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $164,560 | 16.2% |
| Pharmacist | $164,240 | 16.2% |
| Operations Manager | $152,100 | 17.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $138,820 | 19.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $136,540 | 19.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $132,750 | 20.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $130,000 | 20.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $103,290 | 25.8% |
| Police Officer | $100,060 | 26.6% |
| Accountant | $99,990 | 26.6% |
| Market Research Analyst | $97,600 | 27.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $80,640 | 33.0% |
| Firefighter | $79,390 | 33.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $76,800 | 34.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $71,080 | 37.5% |
| Plumber | $64,890 | 41.1% |
| Electrician | $64,120 | 41.5% |
| Truck Driver | $63,810 | 41.7% |
| Carpenter | $59,760 | 44.6% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $49,870 | 53.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $49,860 | 53.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $48,590 | 54.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $47,830 | 55.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $46,730 | 57.0% |
| Restaurant Cook | $42,220 | 63.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $38,700 | 68.8% |
| Cashier | $38,520 | 69.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Boulder?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $4,993 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,039,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $103,950 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Boulder, CO?
Renting in Boulder costs a median of about $2,220 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Colorado median is $2,080.
How much do I need to make to live in Boulder?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $88,800 a year, or $43 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Boulder cheap or expensive?
Boulder is rated OK: rent takes 28.2% of the typical household income of $94,361. It ranks 69th cheapest of 112 Colorado cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Boulder?
The median homeowner in Boulder pays $5,322 a year in property taxes, about 0.51% of the median home value.
Is Boulder more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 5% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Boulder?
The median home value in Boulder is $1,039,500, about 11.0 times the typical yearly household income.
106,433 people live in Boulder. Numbers are typical (middle) values.