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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Vista or is it cheaper to live in Boulder?
- Vista is 9.6% more expensive than Boulder.

Which city has more affordable housing, Vista or Boulder?
- Vista housing costs are 26.7% less expensive than Boulder housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Boulder or is Health Care more affordable in Vista.
- Health related expenses are 4.1% more in Vista.
 Boulder, COVista, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.9100
 Food & Groceries106.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock89.0100
 Housing322.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$796,900$338,100
 Utilities93  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock120.9100
 Miscellaneous154.4  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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

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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

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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

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Reviews for Vista    21 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

I bought a house in Vista, CA, and lived there since 2013-2017. My kids and I loved that area (Shadow Ridge). People are friendly, down-to-earth, not snobby. I would  More

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I've lived here 3 years and it has an unbeatable climate. Close to everything you could want. A renovated downtown and access to mass transit. Very nice place, friendly  More

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Truly a hidden gem - I was nervous after first moving since it seemed far from San Diego, but my concerns have been fully alleviated in just a couple months of time in  More

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