Boulder, CO vs Lancaster, 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
Lancaster
61.5
#1905 nationally
Boulder leads in walk score (62 vs 29). Boulder leads in average commute (21.4 min vs 30.9 min). Lancaster leads in cost of living index (126 vs 165).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lancaster, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 61.5 (#1905) |
| Population | 103,166 | 166,236 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $465,459 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $71,367 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 30.9 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 29 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 22.9 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 126 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | D+32.9 |
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 →
D-
61.5 Score
Lancaster, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$465,459
Population
166,236
Crime
High
Walk Score
29
Pacific
View Lancaster, CA →