Boulder CO vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boulder
106,274
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 33.5 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 9.3% | Boulder + |
| White | 81.8% | 63.7% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 4.2% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Pittsburgh
47.8%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $64,137 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $43,590 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $65,080 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 47.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 47.2% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 51.8°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 39.3 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 25.0 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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