Boulder CO vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boulder
106,274
Boulder +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Renton
2.2%
Renton +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 75,721 | Boulder + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 35.0 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 81.8% | 48.7% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 2.2% | Renton + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 6.8% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Renton
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Renton
74.7%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,120 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 74.7% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Renton
$765,686
Renton +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $765,686 | Renton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 45.2% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Boulder +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3409 | Boulder + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Renton
24.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Renton
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Renton
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 24.0% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 8.5% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.1% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 53.2°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 40.1 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 25.4 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while renton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,686. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, 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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