City Comparison
Boulder vs Westminster
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Westminster scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Boulder
Westminster
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Westminster is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Boulder.
Housing costs are a major driver: Boulder's average rent is
29% higher than Westminster's.
| Metric | Boulder | Westminster | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,395 | $1,854 | +29% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $230 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $3,395 | $2,784 | +22% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Boulder offers similar average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Westminster delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Boulder is estimated at
$68,000 vs $65,000 in Westminster.
| Metric | Boulder | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,938 idx | 74,286 idx |
| Household Income | $87,493 | $100,272 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Boulder sees 6.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Boulder | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.50°F | 52.90°F |
| Summer High | 84.20°F | 87.00°F |
| Winter Low | 19.20°F | 19.30°F |
| Rainfall | 16.60 in | 18.30 in |
| Snowfall | 31.20 in | 25.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 282 | 285 |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 52.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Boulder has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Westminster.
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 | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 54.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Westminster is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Boulder.
From a growth perspective, Westminster is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Westminster has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Boulder | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,689 | 116,182 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 37.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.90% |
| 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.
Westminster
Advantages
Median household income stands at a robust $100,272 per year, outperforming the national average.
Proximity to both Denver and Boulder provides residents with immense career mobility and diverse employment hubs.
Over 300 miles of scenic trails and open space preserves support an active, health-conscious lifestyle.
Violent crime rates remain low compared to major urban centers, ensuring a secure environment for families.
An educated local workforce with over 42% holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
Drawbacks
Housing and rental costs run higher than the national median, creating affordability hurdles for first-time buyers.
Traffic congestion along major arteries like U.S. 36 can lead to extended peak-hour commute times.
Property values have experienced high historical appreciation, increasing entry barriers for prospective homeowners.
Suburban sprawl in certain sections can reduce walkability, making car dependency nearly essential for daily errands.
Winters can bring sudden, heavy snowfall requiring diligent municipal snow removal and property upkeep.
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
Westminster
#213Colorado, USA
63.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,854
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
285/yr
Avg Temp
52.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
79
Business
74
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