Boulder CO vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boulder
106,274
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 35.1 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 81.8% | 36.1% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Boulder +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Boulder +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $60,698 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $37,669 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $65,080 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 8.4% | Boulder + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 22.0% | Boulder + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 34.6% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Philadelphia, PA | 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
Boulder +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 57.1°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 48.5 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 34.5 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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