Boulder CO vs Olathe KS — 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%
Olathe, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$437,785
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boulder
106,274
Olathe
143,720
Olathe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Olathe
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Olathe
36.6
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Olathe
10.7%
Olathe +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Olathe
78.6%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Olathe
4.9%
Olathe +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Olathe
4.2%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Olathe
12.6%
Olathe +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Olathe
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 143,720 | Olathe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 36.6 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 10.7% | Olathe + |
| White | 81.8% | 78.6% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 4.9% | Olathe + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.2% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 12.6% | Olathe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Olathe
$112,232
Olathe +
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Olathe
$48,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Olathe
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Olathe
2.8%
Olathe +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Olathe
5.6%
Olathe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Olathe
49.4%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $112,232 | Olathe + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $48,655 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $61,860 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 2.8% | Olathe + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 5.6% | Olathe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 49.4% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Olathe
$437,785
Olathe +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Olathe
73.7%
Olathe +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $437,785 | Olathe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 73.7% | Olathe + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Olathe
449
Olathe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Olathe
2174
Olathe +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 449 | Olathe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2174 | Olathe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Olathe
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Olathe
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Olathe
14.4%
Olathe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Olathe
8.1%
Olathe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Olathe
17.8%
Olathe +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Olathe
11.3%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 32.8% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 9.5% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 14.4% | Olathe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.1% | Olathe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.8% | Olathe + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 11.3% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Olathe
55.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Olathe
40.0 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 55.2°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 40.0 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Olathe
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Olathe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Olathe
22.4 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 22.4 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Olathe leads in median household income at $112,232, while olathe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $437,785. On public safety, Olathe is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Olathe has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, 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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