Boulder, CO vs Madera, 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
Madera
65.3
#1641 nationally
Boulder leads in walk score (62 vs 42). Boulder leads in median household income ($86,098 vs $61,626). Madera leads in cost of living index (119 vs 165).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Madera, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 65.3 (#1641) |
| Population | 103,166 | 68,079 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $426,523 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $61,626 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 28.3 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 42 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 10.8 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 119 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | R+20.8 |
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
65.3 Score
Madera, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$426,523
Population
68,079
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
42
Pacific
View Madera, CA →