Boulder, CO vs Forest Lake, 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
Forest Lake
71.7
#964 nationally
Boulder leads in walk score (62 vs 18). Forest Lake leads in cost of living index (114 vs 165). Boulder leads in average commute (21.4 min vs 26.9 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Forest Lake, MN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 71.7 (#964) |
| Population | 103,166 | 20,685 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $432,441 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $91,157 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 26.9 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 18 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 3.3 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 114 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | D+8.9 |
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-
71.7 Score
Forest Lake, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$432,441
Population
20,685
Crime
Low
Walk Score
18
Midwest
View Forest Lake, MN →
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