Boulder CO vs Chicago IL — 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%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boulder
106,274
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Chicago
35.7
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 35.7 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 81.8% | 39.1% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Chicago
$75,134
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Chicago
$48,148
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Chicago
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Boulder +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Chicago
43.3%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $75,134 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $48,148 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $68,110 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.9% | Boulder + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 16.8% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 43.3% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $324,183 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 45.5% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Chicago
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Chicago
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Chicago
19.0%
Chicago +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Chicago
11.9%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 32.6% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 12.0% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 13.6% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 19.0% | Chicago + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 11.9% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 49.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 37.8 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 36.5 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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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