2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Boulder, CO vs Lafayette, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Lafayette or is it cheaper to live in Boulder?
- Lafayette is 23.8% more expensive than Boulder.

Which city has more affordable housing, Lafayette or Boulder?
- Lafayette housing costs are 80.0% more expensive than Boulder housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Boulder or is Health Care more affordable in Lafayette.
- Health related expenses are 41.6% more in Lafayette.
 Boulder, COLafayette, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock174.9100
 Food & Groceries106.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock121.1100
 Housing322.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,767,400$338,100
 Utilities93  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock123.8100
 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 Lafayette    4 Reviews

Over 14 years ago

Living in Lafayette is wonderful, if you can afford it! The rolling hills, the great schools and the climate make this a great place to  More

   |    Reply

Great place to raise kids, nice restaurants and some good stores. A bit sparse on things like theaters etc. Weather in Summer is HOT HOT HOT. Bring sunblock and  More

   |    Reply

Over 18 years ago

Summers are too cool due to marine  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Lafayette


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.