Boulder CO vs San Diego 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 Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boulder
106,274
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 36.0 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 81.8% | 50.4% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 5.7% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
San Diego
$54,678
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
San Diego
49.9%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $54,678 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 49.9% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Boulder +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $1,006,261 | Boulder + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 47.6% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
San Diego
503
San Diego +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
San Diego
2388
San Diego +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | San Diego + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | San Diego + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
San Diego
24.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
San Diego
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
San Diego
9.3%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 24.2% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 9.2% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.9% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.3% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 61.6°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | San Diego, 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 Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 25.9 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while boulder offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $970,905. On public safety, San Diego is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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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