Boulder, CO

Boulder CO scores 54/100 on safety (well below average). Crime is about 21% above the national average. Research block-level crime data and visit after dark before you commit.

Detail: overall crime index 121 (100 = avg); violent crime index 90; property crime index 151. Indexes near 100 track a typical U.S. load. Higher means more crime pressure on that category.

School quality varies by neighborhood in Boulder. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP.

Typical rent in Boulder is about $2,018/month (expensive). At $2,018/month for a typical unit, you need about $72,648+ in household income to rent comfortably without stretching (3× rent × 12). Typical home value: $1,039,500.

Median household income is $87,493, property taxes run about 1.45%, and homes typically sell in around 28 days. Local median income ($87,493) clears the $72,648 comfort line for that rent.

Walk Score 68 (Somewhat Walkable); transit score 42 (Some Transit).

Average temperature is about 65°F (highs near 77°F, lows near 52°F).

You can be outside most of the year without extreme gear. Heating and cooling costs are usually moderate compared with hotter or colder metros. If you visit, go in winter or midsummer (not only in spring) to see the extremes.

Who tends to thrive in Boulder: (1) Dual-income households (at $2,018/month, the rent math works much better with two salaries) (2) Tech and finance workers (the job market is real and local pay near $87,493 helps carry housing costs) (3) Households earning $72,648+ who can clear the 3× rent rule at $2,018/month (4) Movers with a locked job offer in Boulder who already priced rent and commute

Who should look elsewhere: (1) People with young kids who want to let them roam freely (crime pressure is real here; safety 54/100) (2) Single earners under $70k (the rent-to-income ratio is tight at $2,018/month) (3) Anyone stretching past 40% of take-home on housing at $2,018/month

Income sniff test: clear about $72,648 household income for $2,018/month rent. Under that, pick a cheaper ZIP or a different city.

Boulder is a mixed picture. Safety is average and rent at $2,018/month is on the high side. It works for the right household but is not an obvious choice.