Cost of living in Boulder, Colorado
Boulder County, CO
Part of the Boulder Metro Area
Population 328,317 · Last updated May 21, 2026
Cost breakdown
Single person, by category, per month.
Rent in Boulder
Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.
Source: HUD FMR FY2025
Income and earnings in Boulder
Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.
Home values in Boulder
Average values reported by homeowners.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
Energy costs in Boulder
Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.
Source: EIA
Healthcare in Boulder
Insurance premiums and coverage rates.
Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.
Taxes in Boulder
State and local tax rates for Colorado.
Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.
Transportation in Boulder
Commute patterns and estimated costs.
Source: ACS
Monthly cost estimates for Boulder
What it costs to live in Boulder each month.
- Rent $1,702
- Energy $158
- Water $60
- Groceries $359
- Transport $250
- Healthcare $480
- Federal tax $610
- State tax $174
- Rent $2,059
- Energy $190
- Water $70
- Groceries $595
- Transport $350
- Healthcare $864
- Federal tax $1,352
- State tax $377
- Rent $2,704
- Energy $237
- Water $85
- Groceries $903
- Transport $450
- Healthcare $1,350
- Childcare $1,200
- Federal tax $1,352
- State tax $377
Frequently asked questions about Boulder
Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.
What is the average rent in Boulder?
In Boulder, Colorado, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,702 per month, a two-bedroom averages $2,059 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,704 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.
What is the average salary in Boulder?
In Boulder, Colorado, the average household income is $102,772 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $47,368 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
What is the cost of living in Boulder?
The estimated cost of living in Boulder, Colorado is approximately $3,793 per month for a single person, $5,857 for a couple, $8,658 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
What is the sales tax rate in Boulder?
The combined sales tax rate in Boulder, Colorado is 7.77%, which includes the Colorado state rate of 2.90% plus an average local rate of 4.87%.
Is Boulder an affordable place to live?
Based on the data, a single person in Boulder, Colorado would need approximately $3,793 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $102,772 per year ($8,564 per month). Boulder is relatively affordable compared to the national average.
How much does healthcare cost in Boulder?
The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Boulder, Colorado is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.4% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.
What are house prices in Boulder?
The average home value in Boulder, Colorado is $713,900, with average annual property taxes of $3,821, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
How does Boulder compare to other areas?
You can compare Boulder, Colorado with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Boulder is in the Boulder, CO metro area.
Other counties in Colorado
Browse the full list of counties in Colorado, ranked by cost of living.
See all counties in ColoradoCompare Boulder with another area
Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.
About this data
All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.
- HUD FMR FY2025
- ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
- EIA
- ACS + national avg
- ACS
- USDA + BEA RPP