Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Boulder
106,274
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Boulder
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Boulder
1.1%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Boulder
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 106,274 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 28.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 10.2% | Boulder + |
| White | 27.4% | 81.8% | Boulder + |
| Black | 60.0% | 1.1% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.8% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 11.2% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Boulder
6.1%
Boulder +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Baltimore +
Boulder
21.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $85,364 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $59,450 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $76,653 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 6.1% | Boulder + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 21.8% | Baltimore + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 76.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Boulder
$970,905
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $970,905 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 47.9% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Boulder
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Boulder
3234
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 512 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 3234 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Boulder
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 16.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.9% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.6% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 19.8% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 51.6°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 20.7 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Boulder
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 21.0 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Boulder has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, 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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