Boulder CO vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boulder
106,274
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Portland
70.1%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 38.6 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 81.8% | 70.1% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Portland
$55,312
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Portland
53.5%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $55,312 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,691 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 53.5% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $538,687 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Portland
3001
Portland +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3001 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Portland
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 28.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 8.9% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.3% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 11.7% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Portland
51.6°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 51.6°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 78.3 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 26.5 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $538,687. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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