Atlanta GA vs Boulder CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Boulder
106,274
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Boulder
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Boulder
1.1%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Boulder
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 106,274 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 28.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 10.2% | Boulder + |
| White | 39.9% | 81.8% | Boulder + |
| Black | 46.9% | 1.1% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 5.8% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 11.2% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Boulder
$59,450
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Boulder
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Boulder
21.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $85,364 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $59,450 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,653 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.1% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 21.8% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 76.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Boulder
$970,905
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $970,905 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 47.9% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Boulder
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Boulder
3234
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 512 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3234 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Boulder
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Boulder
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 16.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.9% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.6% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 19.8% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Boulder
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 20.7 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 21.0 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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