Boulder CO vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boulder
106,274
Westminster
115,546
Westminster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Westminster
74.7%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Westminster
1.2%
Westminster +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 115,546 | Westminster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 37.5 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 8.2% | Boulder + |
| White | 81.8% | 74.7% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 1.2% | Westminster + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.7% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Westminster
$51,982
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Westminster
$76,653
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Westminster
44.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $51,982 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,653 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 44.0% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Westminster
$528,447
Westminster +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $528,447 | Westminster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Westminster
512
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Westminster
3234
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 512 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3234 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Westminster
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Westminster
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Westminster
18.7%
Westminster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Westminster
11.1%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 27.7% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 8.4% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 11.1% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 18.7% | Westminster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 11.1% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 28.6 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, while westminster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $528,447. On public safety, Westminster is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster 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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