Boulder, CO vs Commerce City, CO

The cost of living difference between Boulder, CO and Commerce City, CO is dramatic. Commerce City is 40.1% cheaper than Boulder, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Boulder has a cost index of 174 while Commerce City sits at 124, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Boulder is $1,924/month compared to $1,626/month in Commerce City — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Commerce City is more affordable at $463,200 median vs $982,600.

Median household income in Boulder is $85,364 compared to $106,756 in Commerce City (-20%). Commerce City 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 18.3% in Commerce City.