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ToolsCheapest NearBoulder

Affordable Alternatives to Boulder

Cities ranked by lifestyle match — walkability, job market, and cost of living — not just the cheapest price tag.

COL Index132100 = US avg
1BR Rent$2,300/mo
Walk Score52/100
State Income Tax4.4%

Best overall alternatives

Ranked by lifestyle match: savings potential, walkability, and economic opportunity — not just cheapest price.

Best Match
🍺 Madison
Wisconsin, WI
27% cheaper
vs. Boulder
COL 97
100 = US avg
1BR rent$1,650/mo
Monthly savings$650/mo
Walk score55/100
Median income$68K/yr
DetailsCompare
🌻 Cincinnati
Ohio, OH
34% cheaper
vs. Boulder
COL 87
100 = US avg
1BR rent$1,300/mo
Monthly savings$1,000/mo
Walk score54/100
Median income$57K/yr
DetailsCompare
🌊 Charleston
South Carolina, SC
27% cheaper
vs. Boulder
COL 97
100 = US avg
1BR rent$1,900/mo
Monthly savings$400/mo
Walk score48/100
Median income$68K/yr
DetailsCompare

Moving to Madison saves you $650/mo. Put it to work while you plan.

High-yield savings accounts — top rates today

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Openbank logo
Openbank
Openbank 12-Month CD
4.45%APY
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Peak Bank
Peak Bank 12-Month CD
4.42%APY
See reviewOpen account

Stay in Colorado

Cheaper cities within Colorado — same state laws, familiar surroundings.

🏔️ Colorado Springs
COL 95
1BR $1,500/mo
28% cheaper
🏔️ Fort Collins
COL 99
1BR $1,700/mo
25% cheaper
🏔️ Denver
COL 122
1BR $2,000/mo
8% cheaper

Eliminate Colorado's 4.4% state income tax

These states charge $0 in state income tax. On a $120K salary, that's $5,280/year back in your pocket — before factoring in the lower COL.

🌮 Laredo
No income tax
COL 79
1BR $950/mo
40% cheaper
🌮 El Paso
No income tax
COL 80
1BR $1,050/mo
39% cheaper
🤠 Amarillo
No income tax
COL 80
1BR $950/mo
39% cheaper
🤠 Lubbock
No income tax
COL 81
1BR $1,000/mo
39% cheaper

More monthly income deserves a card that earns it back

No-annual-fee credit cards — earn rewards on every moving expense

Chase logo
Chase
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
1.5%-5% Cash Back
$0 annual fee
See reviewApply
Citi logo
Citi
Citi Custom Cash® Card
1%-5% Cash Back
$0 annual fee
See reviewApply
☐ Compare renters insurance →☐ Auto insurance for your new state →

More affordable metros

All other established metros cheaper than Boulder, sorted by cost of living.

🎵 Jackson, MS
COL 791BR $1,000/moSave $1,300/mo on rent40% cheaper
DetailsCompare
🎯 Springfield, MO
COL 791BR $950/moSave $1,350/mo on rent40% cheaper
DetailsCompare
⚙️ Montgomery, AL
COL 811BR $1,050/moSave $1,250/mo on rent39% cheaper
DetailsCompare
🎷 Shreveport, LA
COL 811BR $1,000/moSave $1,300/mo on rent39% cheaper
DetailsCompare
🌻 Toledo, OH
COL 811BR $1,050/moSave $1,250/mo on rent39% cheaper
DetailsCompare
🏁 Fort Wayne, IN
COL 811BR $1,000/moSave $1,300/mo on rent39% cheaper
DetailsCompare

Boulder at a glance

132
COL index
100 = US avg
$2,300
1BR rent
per month
$800K
Home price
median
4.4%
State tax
income

Cities with similar cost of living

Sacramento, CACOL: 127Portland, ORCOL: 125Santa Rosa, CACOL: 140Miami, FLCOL: 123

COL data: Numbeo, Zillow, BLS · Walk scores: Walk Score® · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only