Boulder CO vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boulder
106,274
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Louisville
63.1%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 37.7 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 9.8% | Boulder + |
| White | 81.8% | 63.1% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.6% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 8.6% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Louisville
$38,890
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $64,731 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $38,890 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $52,606 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 33.4% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 43.3 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 24.2 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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