Boulder, CO Cost of Living & Economic Score
Federal Bureau of Economic Analysis cost-of-living and household-budget data for the Boulder, CO metropolitan statistical area.
Cost of living in Boulder
According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, prices in the Boulder, CO metropolitan area run 10.0% above the U.S. average (Regional Price Parity index 110.0 on a base of 100). That puts Boulder on the costlier end of U.S. metros.
For broader state context — including state taxes, insurance, and energy costs that affect every Colorado household — see the Colorado state report.
Other Colorado metros
- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO RPP 107.0 D+
- Colorado Springs, CO RPP 99.0 C+
Compare to similar-cost metros
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Boulder, CO?
The Boulder, CO metro area has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 110.0 (U.S.=100), meaning prices are 10.0% above the national average. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Is Boulder an affordable place to live?
Boulder, CO has an InflationRank score of 62/100 (grade D-), reflecting cost of living near the U.S. national average. The metro RPP of 110.0 compares to a U.S. baseline of 100.
How does Boulder compare to other cities for cost of living?
Boulder, CO has a cost-of-living index of 110.0 (U.S.=100), 10.0% above the national average. Similar-cost metros include Anchorage, AK (RPP 109.0), Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA (RPP 111.5).
About the InflationRank Score
The InflationRank Score is a proprietary 0–100 composite that summarizes a metro area's cost-of-living and economic conditions on a familiar A–F grading scale. The composite weighs cost level, inflation pressure, and income resilience, sourced from federal government datasets and reviewed annually as federal data refreshes.
Underlying data is drawn from authoritative federal economic agencies and public housing datasets. See full data sources →