Boulder CO vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boulder
106,274
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Manchester
76.7%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Manchester
4.6%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 115,415 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 37.9 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 81.8% | 76.7% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 5.3% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.6% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Manchester
$77,415
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Manchester
$44,220
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Manchester
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $77,415 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $44,220 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $75,331 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 33.5% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $441,257 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Manchester
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 35.0% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 9.4% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.9% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.9% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 44.6 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 25.7 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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