Boulder, CO


55 Reviews



Download our custom City Report to see exclusive
data on cost of living, crime, climate, and more.
Boulder, CO

About Boulder, CO

Boulder, Colorado is a unique city in the foothills of the Rockies. From incredible outdoor recreation to delicious food and vibrant nightlife, Boulder has something for everyone. Nature lovers will be captivated by the beauty of the Rocky Mountains and can take advantage of over 200 miles of trails for hiking, biking and climbing. For those looking to relax, Boulder Creek Path provides visitors with a peaceful respite from busy city life. Culture aficionados won’t want to miss out on visiting various galleries and historic landmarks throughout town, such as the Chautauqua Park Historic District or view pieces at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. And after a day spent exploring this beautiful city, guests can unwind at one of Boulder’s many restaurants for some delicious local fare or enjoy a lively night at one of its lively bars! With its stunning mountain views and endless activities, Boulder promises to leave visitors with lasting memories! College town / suburban complex - 25 miles northwest of Denver at the base of the Rocky Mountain Front Range.

State: Colorado
County: Boulder County
Metro Area: Boulder Metro Area
City: Boulder
Zip Codes: 80302 80304 80301 80303 80305 80310
Cost of Living:
Time zone: Mountain Standard Time (MST)
Elevation: 5332 ft above sea level

Boulder, home to the University of Colorado, is a lively and classic college town, with liberal politics, alternative social lifestyles and attitudes, and an assortment of trendy small businesses, restaurants, galleries, and entertainment venues. There is plenty to do in this bicycle-friendly town, which has a pedestrian mall downtown and outdoor recreation in the nearby mountains. The area has one of the highest combined 4-year and graduate degree attainment rates in the nation. There are some larger business and government research facilities adding to the area’s economy, and there is a sizeable high tech belt towards Denver.

Part of the Boulder story is the set of small towns nearby that have exploded into large but generally well-planned and attractively priced suburbs positioned well to take advantage of what both Boulder and Denver have to offer. Longmont is historically an agricultural town to the northeast currently experiencing a major housing boom. The towns of Louisville and Lafayette, long ago coal mining towns, are also good examples. Located near the four-lane US 36 corridor towards Denver, they have excellent housing and schools, plenty of nearby employment and generally exemplify the quality and livability of these suburbs. Boulder would get a still higher ranking if it weren’t for the Cost of living Index, by far the highest in Colorado.

Boulder lies in a shallow valley just at the foot of the Rockies, with surrounding areas of gently rolling grassland plateau with occasional lakes, and reservoirs. The surrounding suburbs occupy some of this higher ground, giving excellent views but also some exposure to inclement climate. Area climate is typical of the Front Range, with warm sunny summer days with low humidity and occasional thunderstorms, and cool to cold winters with periodic mild spells. The brunt of cold spells tend to miss the area, and the mountains provide some shielding from the worst and windiest cold weather. Summer thunderstorms can be occasionally heavy. Periods of extreme temperatures are short. Large or persistent snow accumulations are uncommon, but occasional heavy snows, particularly in fall and spring, can disrupt transportation. First freeze is early October, last is late April.

Buying or selling a home?
Find top real estate agents in Boulder.

Boulder Cost of Living

College-town atmosphere, attractive downtown, and educational attainment make Boulder a great place to live.

$997,100
+66.1% higher than avg
$74,902
+7.9% higher than avg
8.6 / 5.6
Comfort Index
summer/winter
Boulder Crime
40.9 / 100
Crime is ranked on a scale of 1 (low) to 100 (high). US average: 35.4
Minimum annual income
To live comfortably in Boulder, Colorado
$191,160
for a family
$68,000
for a single person
Pros & Cons of Boulder
   College-town atmosphere
Cost of living and housing
   Attractive downtown
Traffic and sprawl
   Educational attainment
Economic cycles
Reviews for Boulder
    See all (55)

Outside of the university, Boulder had a very distinctive "wealthy hippy" feel. A lot of alternative medicine and a matching ethos. This is changing some among my  More
   |    Reply
We moved here from Texas about 4 years ago and love it here! The amazing sense of community and high regard for the environment are two of the main reasons we love  More
   |    Reply
Over 4 years ago
Most people do much worse than Boulder. I'm the most critical person I've ever met who is never happy or satisfied -- so that's a pretty huge compliment.   More
   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Boulder

Cost of Living