Boulder CO vs Chula Vista CA — 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%
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boulder
106,274
Boulder +
Chula Vista
8,933
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Chula Vista
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Chula Vista
42.9
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Chula Vista
65.7%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Boulder +
Chula Vista
0.7%
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Chula Vista
0.7%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Chula Vista
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 8,933 | Boulder + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 42.9 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 20.0% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 81.8% | 65.7% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 0.7% | Boulder + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 0.7% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 36.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Chula Vista
$49,562
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Chula Vista
26.9%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $104,238 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $49,562 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 2.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 4.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 26.9% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Chula Vista
$849,245
Chula Vista +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $849,245 | Chula Vista + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 71.4% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Chula Vista
503
Chula Vista +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Chula Vista
2388
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Chula Vista + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Chula Vista + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Chula Vista
26.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Chula Vista
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Chula Vista
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Chula Vista
9.6%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 26.6% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 11.4% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.0% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 12.4% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.6% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 63.5°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 9.8 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Chula Vista
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Chula Vista
26.9 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 26.9 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, while chula Vista offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $849,245. On public safety, Chula Vista is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, 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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