Boulder CO vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boulder
106,274
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 183,032 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 42.9 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 81.8% | 51.3% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.6% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $79,935 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $57,845 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $65,328 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 39.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $510,297 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 53.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 30.3% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 12.8% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 14.7% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 13.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 75.5°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 66.5 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 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 +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 28.5 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Boulder, CO vs New York, NYBoulder, CO vs Los Angeles, CABoulder, CO vs Chicago, ILBoulder, CO vs Houston, TXBoulder, CO vs Phoenix, AZBoulder, CO vs Philadelphia, PA