Boulder, CO vs Cary, NC
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Boulder
67.4
#1424 nationally
Cary
72.1
#924 nationally
Boulder leads in walk score (62 vs 28). Cary leads in median household income ($125,317 vs $86,098). Cary leads in cost of living index (125 vs 165).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cary, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 72.1 (#924) |
| Population | 103,166 | 180,010 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $628,913 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $125,317 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 22.8 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 28 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 1.9 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 125 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | D+25.6 |
D+
67.4 Score
Boulder, CO
Nature meets innovation at the Flatirons
Median Home
$957,377
Population
103,166
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
A
West
View Boulder, CO →
C-
72.1 Score
Cary, NC
Mid-size North Carolina city with community character
Median Home
$628,913
Population
180,010
Crime
Low
Walk Score
28
Southeast
View Cary, NC →