Boulder, CO vs Long Beach, 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
Long Beach
62.3
#1863 nationally
Boulder leads in school rating (8.4 vs 5.2). Boulder leads in average commute (21.4 min vs 28.4 min). Boulder leads in median household income ($86,098 vs $69,471).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Long Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 62.3 (#1863) |
| Population | 103,166 | 466,742 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $860,012 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $69,471 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 28.4 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 67 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 8.4 | 5.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 142 |
| 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-
62.3 Score
Long Beach, CA
Aquatic playground of Southern California
Median Home
$860,012
Population
466,742
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Long Beach, CA →