Boulder CO vs Cambridge MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boulder
106,274
Cambridge
117,794
Cambridge +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Cambridge
30.5
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Cambridge
57.5%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Cambridge
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 117,794 | Cambridge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 30.5 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 28.8% | Cambridge + |
| White | 81.8% | 57.5% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 10.5% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 19.7% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 8.9% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $126,469 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $76,789 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $85,405 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 12.4% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 80.2% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Boulder +
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
Cambridge
33.7%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $1,041,988 | Boulder + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 33.7% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 326 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1086 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Cambridge
21.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Cambridge
5.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Cambridge
18.5%
Cambridge +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 21.9% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 5.9% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.0% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 3.8% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 18.5% | Cambridge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 7.1% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Cambridge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Cambridge
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Cambridge
28.3 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 28.3 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while boulder offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $970,905. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, 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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