Boulder, CO vs Des Moines, WA
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
Des Moines
64.6
#1684 nationally
Boulder leads in walk score (62 vs 41). Boulder leads in average commute (21.4 min vs 30.2 min). Des Moines leads in cost of living index (133 vs 165).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Des Moines, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 64.6 (#1684) |
| Population | 103,166 | 31,988 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $607,792 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $81,362 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 30.2 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 41 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 8.1 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 133 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | D+51.7 |
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 →
D
64.6 Score
Des Moines, WA
Small Washington city with local appeal
Median Home
$607,792
Population
31,988
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
41
Pacific
View Des Moines, WA →