City Comparison
Boulder vs Loveland
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Loveland scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Boulder
Loveland
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Loveland is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Boulder.
Housing costs are a major driver: Boulder's average rent is
41% higher than Loveland's.
| Metric | Boulder | Loveland | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,395 | $1,700 | +41% |
| Groceries | $450 | $420 | +7% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $115 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $240 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,395 | $2,655 | +28% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 102 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Boulder offers 15% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Loveland delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Boulder is estimated at
$68,000 vs $58,000 in Loveland.
| Metric | Boulder | Loveland |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,938 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $87,493 | $84,604 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.5°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Boulder sees 3.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Boulder | Loveland |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.50°F | 51.00°F |
| Summer High | 84.20°F | 83.80°F |
| Winter Low | 19.20°F | 17.40°F |
| Rainfall | 16.60 in | 17.20 in |
| Snowfall | 31.20 in | 27.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 282 | 285 |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 52.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Boulder has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Loveland.
Boulder scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Boulder leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Boulder | Loveland |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Boulder is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Loveland.
From a growth perspective, Loveland is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Boulder has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Boulder | Loveland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,689 | 81,387 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.42% |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 40.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Boulder
Advantages
Unmatched access to open space and outdoor recreation, with over 300 days of annual sunshine and miles of direct trail access.
Exceptionally high educational attainment levels, with over 75% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or advanced qualification.
Thriving innovation and tech startup ecosystem fueled by proximity to the University of Colorado Boulder and federal research labs.
Robust multi-modal transportation infrastructure featuring extensive bike paths, pedestrian corridors, and reliable regional transit.
Active, health-conscious community culture emphasizing sustainability, organic foods, and active wellness.
Drawbacks
Significantly high cost of living and housing market pressures, with average monthly rent exceeding $2,300.
Limited ethnic and racial diversity compared to broader metropolitan benchmarks in Colorado.
Competitive real estate environment making homeownership challenging for median-income earners.
Traffic congestion along major regional corridors during peak commuting hours to and from Denver.
Strict growth boundaries driving up commercial lease rates for local small businesses and startups.
Loveland
Advantages
Median home sale prices in Loveland sit roughly $100,000 below neighboring Larimer County peaks, offering better relative value per square foot.
Abundant access to public art, highlighted by the world-famous Benson Sculpture Garden and cultural events.
Proximity to premier outdoor destinations including Boyd Lake State Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.
A revitalized downtown district anchored by The Foundry, featuring local dining, craft breweries, and entertainment.
Strong local job growth across manufacturing, healthcare, and trade sectors supported by the I-25 corridor economy.
Drawbacks
Housing affordability has tightened significantly following rapid regional appreciation over recent years.
High car dependency limits practical car-free commuting and public transit utility outside peak corridors.
Winter weather brings occasional heavy snowfall and sub-freezing temperatures requiring winterized infrastructure.
Proximity to major metropolitan job centers can result in heavy commuter traffic during peak hours along I-25.
Limited high-end nightlife or late-night entertainment options compared to larger urban centers like Denver.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Boulder
#467Colorado, USA
54.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,395
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
282/yr
Avg Temp
50.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
88
Business
80
Loveland
#183Colorado, USA
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,700
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
285/yr
Avg Temp
51.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.42%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
77
Business
72
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