Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
17% cheaper
Boulder is 17% more affordable than Irvine. A $75,000 salary in Irvine is equivalent to $62,360 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 Irvine sits at 294 (national average = 100). The median home in Boulder costs $750,000 compared to $1,050,000 in Irvine, a difference of $300,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,300 in Boulder versus $3,000 in Irvine.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Boulder scores 107 while Irvine scores 108.
Healthcare costs in Boulder (104) are lower than Irvine (109).
Median household income in Boulder is $73,123 compared to $108,038 in Irvine. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Boulder.
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