Austin TX 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Boulder
106,274
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Boulder
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Boulder
10.2%
White
Austin
59.9%
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Boulder
1.1%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Boulder
5.8%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Boulder
11.2%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Boulder
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 106,274 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 28.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 10.2% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 81.8% | Boulder + |
| Black | 7.5% | 1.1% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 5.8% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 11.2% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Boulder
$85,364
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Boulder
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Boulder
21.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $85,364 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $59,450 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.1% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 21.8% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 76.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
Boulder
$970,905
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $970,905 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 47.9% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Austin +
Boulder
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Boulder
3234
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Boulder
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Boulder
19.8%
Boulder +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 16.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.9% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 8.6% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 19.8% | Boulder + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 51.6°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 20.7 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 21.0 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, Austin is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, 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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