Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Boulder and Seattle have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Colorado salaries · Washington salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Boulder has a housing index of 230 while Seattle sits at 224 (national average = 100). The median home in Boulder costs $750,000 compared to $750,000 in Seattle, a difference of $0. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,300 in Boulder versus $2,300 in Seattle.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Boulder scores 107 while Seattle scores 109.
Healthcare costs in Boulder (104) are lower than Seattle (109).
Median household income in Boulder is $73,123 compared to $97,185 in Seattle. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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