Cost of living index
Boulder, CO
105.2 / 100
Living in Boulder, CO is 5.2% more expensive than the US average.
Overall prices
105.2
Housing / rent
157
vs US average
+5.2%
What it costs to live in Boulder, CO
Boulder, CO has an overall price level of 105.2 compared with the national average of 100, meaning everyday costs run about 5.2% higher than a typical US metro. Housing tells the sharper story: at 157 it is 57.0% above the national average. Because rent and mortgage payments are the biggest line in most household budgets, that housing figure is usually what you’ll feel most when you move here.
Common questions
Is Boulder, CO an expensive place to live?
Boulder, CO has an overall cost-of-living index of 105.2, where 100 is the US average. That makes it about 5.2% more expensive than the country as a whole.
Is housing expensive in Boulder, CO?
Housing in Boulder, CO scores 157 against a US average of 100 — roughly 57.0% above average. Housing is usually the largest single cost, so it drives most of the overall difference.
How does Boulder, CO compare to the US average cost of living?
Overall prices in Boulder, CO sit at 105.2 versus 100 for the US average, with housing at 157. Figures come from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2024.