Boulder, CO vs Elk River, MN
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
Elk River
72.5
#875 nationally
Boulder leads in walk score (62 vs 15). Elk River leads in cost of living index (108 vs 165). Boulder leads in average commute (21.4 min vs 28.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Elk River, MN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 72.5 (#875) |
| Population | 103,166 | 27,342 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $402,011 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $95,597 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 28.6 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 15 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 2.5 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 108 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | R+34.9 |
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-
72.5 Score
Elk River, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$402,011
Population
27,342
Crime
Low
Walk Score
15
Midwest
View Elk River, MN →