Boulder, CO vs Lafayette, 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
Lafayette
62.7
#1832 nationally
Lafayette leads in median household income ($219,250 vs $86,098). Boulder leads in walk score (62 vs 26). Boulder leads in cost of living index (165 vs 280).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lafayette, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 62.7 (#1832) |
| Population | 103,166 | 25,048 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $1,941,109 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $219,250 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 29.7 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 26 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 2.2 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 280 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | D+38.0 |
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-
62.7 Score
Lafayette, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,941,109
Population
25,048
Crime
Low
Walk Score
26
Pacific
View Lafayette, CA →