With sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains to the west and the prairies and plains to the east, the city of Boulder, Colorado, is one of the most desirable places to live in the state of Colorado. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the thousands of acres of open space to play in, art and music lovers soak up the vibrant venues, and food aficionados can indulge in an eclectic range of cafes, bistros, and fine dining establishments.
Boulder sits at 5,430 feet above sea level and is only 25 miles from the thriving metropolis of Denver. As of late 2020, Boulder had a population of 105,003 and is the 12th largest city in Colorado. Boulder is also home to the University of Colorado – Boulder, which is one of the largest universities in the state of Colorado. With Boulder’s natural beauty, access to culture, great food, and a solid job market, we consider Boulder to be one the best places to live in Colorado.
What is the overall cost of living in Boulder?
Boulder’s cost of living comes in about 42% over the national average and about 29% higher than the rest of Colorado. Housing costs are about 152% higher than the national average, with the median rent running about $2,000 a month for a 900 square-foot apartment. When you compare living in Boulder vs. Denver, Boulder has a higher cost of living by 30.1%, and Boulder’s housing costs run about 73.3% higher than in Denver.
Transportation costs run about 5% lower than other parts of Colorado, healthcare is about 6% lower than the national average, and groceries average about 6% more than the national and Colorado average. Boulder is a bicycle-friendly city with a large number of people commuting to work or school by bicycle. While transportation expenses run lower than the national average, you can reduce your transportation costs even more by riding your bicycle or walking to your destination.
What’s the job market like in Boulder?
The hottest job markets in Boulder include pharmaceutical, aerospace, bioscience, and technology. Aerospace companies include Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, and NDP/Braxton. Over 98 bioscience companies call Boulder home, including AstraZeneca, KBI Biopharma, and MBio Diagnostics. Boulder has over 292 cleantech companies with an employment concentration of over 4% of the national average in renewable and clean energy resources.
Major cleantech companies include Siemens Power Generation, Gravity Renewables, and juwi Solar and Wind. There are 2.7 times more IT sector jobs in Boulder than elsewhere in the United States. The top tech companies include Cisco, Google Boulder, IBM, and Oracle. The average household income in Boulder is approximately $68,260 for someone who holds a graduate degree. Those who work in highly skilled professions and don’t have a family earn an average income of about $200,000.
How expensive is an apartment in Boulder?
Because the cost of living in Boulder, Colorado, is about 42% higher than the national average, most apartments will cost more than in other metropolitan areas of Colorado and the rest of the United States.
The average rental costs in Boulder are:
- $1,028 for a studio apartment
- $1,516 for a one-bedroom apartment
- $2,000 for a two-bedroom apartment
- $2,760 for a three-bedroom apartment
- $3,900 for a four-bedroom apartment
The most desirable and therefore most expensive neighborhoods to rent an apartment in Boulder are University Heights, University Hill, and West Pearl.
How do I find cheap apartments in Boulder?
When you’re looking for a cheap apartment that fits your budget, be patient. Even though Boulder has higher than average rents, you can find an apartment to fit your budget. Don’t neglect the tried-and-true option of welcoming a roommate to share the living expenses. Often, someone who is already renting an apartment and is seeking a new roommate will list the rental on social media platforms or through word of mouth. Before embarking on an apartment hunting project with a potential roommate, make sure and have a roommate agreement drawn up so that you’re all on the same page for the rules and policies. Understanding the rules will help to keep the peace with your roommate.
What is the cheapest rent in Boulder?
The cheapest rent you’ll find averages about $1,287 for a studio apartment. Of course, you’ll want to factor in other costs such as utilities, unless the landlord pays for them. You also want to consider transportation costs, especially if you have to live far away from your workplace or the school you attend.
Also, keep in mind that you’ll need to come up with a security deposit along with at least your first month’s rental cost before moving in, so add that to your budget list. When you want the cheapest rent in Boulder, check out the following neighborhoods — Devil’s Thumb, Majestic Heights, and Martin Acres.
Once you decide to move to Boulder, secure a job that can pay you enough to cover apartment rent, utilities, transportation, food, healthcare, and any school fees for your kids. Boulder is a fun town with lots of opportunities to eat out, see live performances, and enjoy the many great outdoor activities. When figuring out your Boulder, Colorado, cost of living budget, make sure to include enough money to enjoy all that Boulder has to offer.
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