Boulder CO vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boulder
106,274
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 34.3 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 81.8% | 35.5% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Houston
$41,142
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Boulder +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Houston
36.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $62,894 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $41,142 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.7% | Boulder + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 36.0% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 42.0% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Houston
442
Houston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Houston
2339
Houston +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 38.0% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 13.9% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 24.0% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 13.6% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 48.7 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 29.6 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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%.
Compare More Cities
Boulder, CO vs New York, NYBoulder, CO vs Los Angeles, CABoulder, CO vs Chicago, ILBoulder, CO vs Phoenix, AZBoulder, CO vs Philadelphia, PABoulder, CO vs San Antonio, TX