Boulder, CO vs Centennial, CO

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Centennial is 15.4% cheaper than Boulder. With a cost index of 151 vs 174, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Centennial to Boulder should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Boulder is $1,924/month compared to $2,061/month in Centennial — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Boulder has cheaper rent, Centennial actually has lower median home values ($626,700 vs $982,600).

Median household income in Boulder is $85,364 compared to $128,167 in Centennial (-33.4%). Centennial offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Boulder spend roughly 27% of their income on rent, more than the 19.3% in Centennial.