City Comparison
Boulder vs Pueblo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Boulder scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Boulder
Pueblo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pueblo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
33% lower than in Boulder.
Housing costs are a major driver: Boulder's average rent is
79% higher than Pueblo's.
| Metric | Boulder | Pueblo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,395 | $1,339 | +79% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $220 | +14% |
| Monthly Total | $3,395 | $2,259 | +50% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Boulder offers 34% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Pueblo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Boulder is estimated at
$68,000 vs $52,000 in Pueblo.
| Metric | Boulder | Pueblo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,938 idx | 63,043 idx |
| Household Income | $87,493 | $56,664 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Pueblo runs warmer on average — a 6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Pueblo comes out ahead with 31 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Boulder sees 14.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Boulder | Pueblo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.50°F | 56.50°F |
| Summer High | 84.20°F | 89.90°F |
| Winter Low | 19.20°F | 22.40°F |
| Rainfall | 16.60 in | 10.80 in |
| Snowfall | 31.20 in | 16.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 282 | 313 |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 45.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Boulder has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Pueblo.
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 | Pueblo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pueblo is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Boulder 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 | Pueblo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,689 | 110,404 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 38.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 6.60% |
| 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.
Pueblo
Advantages
Overall cost of living runs approximately 8% below the national average, making it Colorado's most affordable urban center.
Enjoyable climate featuring roughly 313 sunny days per year and mild winter variations.
Abundant outdoor recreation centered around Lake Pueblo State Park for boating, fishing, and hiking.
Rich cultural identity highlighted by local traditions, historic architecture, and the famous annual Chile & Frijoles Festival.
Significantly more accessible housing market with median home values well below state and national norms.
Drawbacks
Property crime rates and overall crime indices remain higher than the national median.
Local average wages and median household incomes trail significantly behind state and national benchmarks.
Economic mobility and job diversification are more limited compared to northern Colorado tech centers.
Summer high temperatures frequently exceed 90°F, requiring robust air conditioning and heat management.
Public transportation options are relatively limited, necessitating regular reliance on personal vehicle ownership.
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
Pueblo
#559Colorado, USA
47.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,339
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
313/yr
Avg Temp
56.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.60%
Livability
72
Business
65
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