Boulder CO vs San Bernardino CA — 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%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boulder
106,274
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
San Bernardino
31.9
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
San Bernardino
4.1%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 221,774 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 31.9 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 81.8% | 27.6% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 11.8% | San Bernardino + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.1% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
San Bernardino
$63,988
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Boulder +
San Bernardino
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
San Bernardino
19.5%
San Bernardino +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $63,988 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $23,980 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.5% | Boulder + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 19.5% | San Bernardino + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 12.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
San Bernardino
$492,059
San Bernardino +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
San Bernardino
48.5%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $492,059 | San Bernardino + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 48.5% | San Bernardino + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
San Bernardino
503
San Bernardino +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
San Bernardino
2388
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | San Bernardino + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | San Bernardino + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
San Bernardino
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
San Bernardino
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
San Bernardino
15.1%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 37.1% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 13.6% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 20.0% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 20.2% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 15.1% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 30.7 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while san Bernardino offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $492,059. On public safety, San Bernardino is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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