Boulder CO vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boulder
106,274
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 34.6 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 81.8% | 58.2% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.1% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Boulder +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $54,546 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $31,152 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,120 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.4% | Boulder + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 30.2% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 33.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 11.5% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.3% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 15.7% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.5% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 69.8°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 23.9 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 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%.
Compare More Cities
Boulder, CO vs New York, NYBoulder, CO vs Los Angeles, CABoulder, CO vs Chicago, ILBoulder, CO vs Houston, TXBoulder, CO vs Phoenix, AZBoulder, CO vs Philadelphia, PA