Boulder, CO vs Goleta, CA
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
Goleta
65.8
#1608 nationally
Boulder leads in walk score (62 vs 44). Goleta leads in median household income ($113,889 vs $86,098). Goleta leads in average commute (18 min vs 21.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Goleta, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 65.8 (#1608) |
| Population | 103,166 | 32,665 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $1,364,943 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $113,889 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 18 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 44 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 5.6 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 192 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | D+26.7 |
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
65.8 Score
Goleta, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,364,943
Population
32,665
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
44
Pacific
View Goleta, CA →