Boulder, CO vs Highlands Ranch, CO

Highlands Ranch is moderately more affordable than Boulder, with a 5.6% lower cost of living index. Boulder scores 174 compared to 165 for Highlands Ranch, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Boulder can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Boulder is $1,924/month compared to $2,397/month in Highlands Ranch — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Boulder has cheaper rent, Highlands Ranch actually has lower median home values ($672,600 vs $982,600).

Median household income in Boulder is $85,364 compared to $155,847 in Highlands Ranch (-45.2%). Highlands Ranch 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 18.5% in Highlands Ranch.