Boulder CO vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boulder
106,274
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Minneapolis
33.0
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Minneapolis
61.6%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 33.0 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 81.8% | 61.6% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.2% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 10.5% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Minneapolis
$80,269
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Minneapolis
$50,605
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Minneapolis
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Minneapolis
54.4%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $80,269 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $50,605 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $69,467 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 54.4% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Minneapolis
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Minneapolis
7.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Minneapolis
19.8%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 28.6% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 7.4% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.9% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 19.8% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.7% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Minneapolis
30.6 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 30.6 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Minneapolis, MN | 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 minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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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