Boulder, CO vs Orinda, 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
Orinda
60
#1942 nationally
Boulder leads in walk score (62 vs 9). Orinda leads in median household income ($250,001 vs $86,098). Boulder leads in cost of living index (165 vs 275).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Orinda, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 60 (#1942) |
| Population | 103,166 | 19,364 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $1,987,799 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $250,001 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 35.6 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 9 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 1.6 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 275 |
| 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-
60 Score
Orinda, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,987,799
Population
19,364
Crime
Low
Walk Score
9
Pacific
View Orinda, CA →