Boulder CO vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boulder
106,274
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Salt Lake City
33.0
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 33.0 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 81.8% | 70.5% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 2.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.3% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Salt Lake City
50.9%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $74,925 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $49,642 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $60,713 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 50.9% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $580,126 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 46.8% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 29.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 7.9% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.2% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 12.3% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 52.8°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 21.3 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while salt Lake City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,126. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, 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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