Bellevue WA 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)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
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
Bellevue
151,199
Bellevue +
Boulder
106,274
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Boulder
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Boulder
10.2%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Bellevue +
Boulder
1.1%
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Boulder
5.8%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Boulder
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 106,274 | Bellevue + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 28.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 10.2% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 81.8% | Boulder + |
| Black | 2.2% | 1.1% | Bellevue + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 5.8% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 11.2% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Boulder
$85,364
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Boulder
$59,450
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Boulder
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Boulder
21.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $85,364 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $59,450 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,653 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 6.1% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 21.8% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 76.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Boulder
$970,905
Boulder +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Bellevue +
Boulder
47.9%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $970,905 | Boulder + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 47.9% | Bellevue + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Bellevue +
Boulder
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Boulder
3234
Boulder +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 512 | Bellevue + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3234 | Boulder + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Boulder
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Boulder
8.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Bellevue +
Boulder
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Boulder
9.0%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 16.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 17.9% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 8.6% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.8% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 9.0% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Boulder
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Boulder
20.7 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 20.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Boulder
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 21.0 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while boulder offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $970,905. On public safety, Bellevue is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, 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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