Taxed — taxes Social Security benefits, but income thresholds and age rules exempt many retirees — check the state's own limits before assuming you would owe
Effective property tax rate
0.53%
metro-area
#24 of 200
Median property tax paid
$3,559
metro-area
#140 of 200
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
82.3 years
metro-area
#3 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,800
state
#93 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents)
5.9%
metro-area
#35 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k
120
metro-area
#7 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$16,000
state
#150 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$400
state
#193 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
1.79% of value (~$501/yr)
state
#168 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
23 min
metro-area
#75 of 200
Commute by driving alone
55.6%
metro-area
#3 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
30.5%
metro-area
#90 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
16.5¢/kWh
state
#83 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$149
state
#83 of 200
Gasoline
$3.30/gal
state
#94 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$65
state
#89 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$120
state
#127 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$87
state
#185 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,800
state
#149 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,000
state
#116 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: wildfire — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
90.7 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#111 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$550
state
#7 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
49
metro-area
#122 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
700
metro-area
#25 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state)
82%
state
#161 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
5,500
metro-area
#133 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F
0
metro-area
#1 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200
Avg summer high (state)
88°F
metro-area
#98 of 200
Avg winter low
18°F
metro-area
#159 of 200
Annual precipitation
15.4"
metro-area
#23 of 200
Annual snowfall
49.0"
metro-area
#170 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
69%
metro-area
#29 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
5b
Frost window
05-10 → 10-10
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
490
state
#153 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,900
state
#173 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#87 of 200
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
Top employers in Boulder
Major public and private employers in the Boulder, CO area.
