Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
Boulder
106,274
Boulder +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Boulder
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Boca Raton +
Boulder
10.2%
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Boca Raton +
Boulder
1.1%
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Boca Raton +
Boulder
11.2%
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Boulder
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 106,274 | Boulder + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 28.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 10.2% | Boca Raton + |
| White | 77.2% | 81.8% | Boulder + |
| Black | 5.7% | 1.1% | Boca Raton + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 5.8% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 11.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Boulder
$85,364
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Boulder
$59,450
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Boca Raton +
Boulder
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Boulder
21.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $85,364 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $59,450 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,653 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.1% | Boca Raton + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 21.8% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 76.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Boca Raton +
Boulder
$970,905
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
Boulder
47.9%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $970,905 | Boca Raton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 47.9% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
Boulder
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
Boulder
3234
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 512 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3234 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
Boulder
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Boulder
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
Boulder
9.0%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 16.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 17.9% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.6% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 19.8% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 9.0% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Boulder
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Boulder
20.7 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | 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.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Boulder
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 21.0 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, while boca Raton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $562,670. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Boca Raton 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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