Boston MA vs Denver CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boston
663,972
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Denver
35.2
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Denver
13.9%
White
Boston
47.8%
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Denver
8.8%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Denver
3.6%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 35.2 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 13.9% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 62.9% | Denver + |
| Black | 21.5% | 8.8% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 3.6% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Denver
$91,681
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Denver
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $91,681 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $76,653 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.6% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Denver
$541,899
Denver +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $541,899 | Denver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 49.1% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 512 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 3234 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Boston +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 13.3% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 25.9% | Boston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Denver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Denver
27.4 min
Denver +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 27.4 min | Denver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while denver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $541,899. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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