2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Boulder, CO vs Federal Way, WA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Federal Way or is it cheaper to live in Boulder?
- Federal Way is 11.9% more expensive than Boulder.

Which city has more affordable housing, Federal Way or Boulder?
- Federal Way housing costs are 45.2% less expensive than Boulder housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Boulder or is Health Care more affordable in Federal Way.
- Health related expenses are 3.2% more in Federal Way.
 Boulder, COFederal Way, WAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock158.1100
 Food & Groceries106.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.2100
 Housing322.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$542,500$338,100
 Utilities93  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock148.7100
 Miscellaneous154.4  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Boulder    55 Reviews

Outside of the university, Boulder had a very distinctive "wealthy hippy" feel. A lot of alternative medicine and a matching ethos. This is changing some among my  More

   |    Reply

We moved here from Texas about 4 years ago and love it here! The amazing sense of community and high regard for the environment are two of the main reasons we love  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

Most people do much worse than Boulder. I'm the most critical person I've ever met who is never happy or satisfied -- so that's a pretty huge compliment.   More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Boulder

Reviews for Federal Way    14 Reviews

Over 6 years ago

A suburb of The Emerald City (Seattle, WA), Federal Way has become yet another go-to place for affluent travelers and transplants from states all over the nation. The  More

   |    Reply

I want to move my family to austin i havent bin there but we want some ware housing is affortable i have four boys age 6,3,2 and a baby of 2 months and ware theres jobs  More

   |    Reply

I have lived in Brooklyn NY, West Palm Beach & Port St Lucie, FL and now Federal Way, WA. While the cost of living here is higher than Florida, it is definitely lower  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Federal Way


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.