Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
11% cheaper
Boulder is 11% more affordable than Los Angeles. A $75,000 salary in Los Angeles is equivalent to $66,867 in Boulder.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Colorado salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Boulder has a housing index of 230 while Los Angeles sits at 262 (national average = 100). The median home in Boulder costs $750,000 compared to $850,000 in Los Angeles, a difference of $100,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,300 in Boulder versus $2,700 in Los Angeles.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Boulder scores 107 while Los Angeles scores 107.
Healthcare costs in Boulder (104) are higher than Los Angeles (103). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Boulder is $73,123 compared to $65,290 in Los Angeles. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Boulder.
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