Boulder CO vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boulder
106,274
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 35.4 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 81.8% | 50.8% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 4.7% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Modesto
$77,899
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Boulder +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $77,899 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $34,656 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.3% | Boulder + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 20.3% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $447,353 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Modesto
503
Modesto +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Modesto
2388
Modesto +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Modesto + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Modesto + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 36.2% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 12.1% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 19.0% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 13.0% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.5% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 13.7% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 63.7°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 30.5 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Modesto is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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%.
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