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

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

Which city has more affordable housing, San Diego or Boulder?
- San Diego housing costs are 13.7% less expensive than Boulder housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Boulder or is Health Care more affordable in San Diego.
- Health related expenses are 4.1% more in San Diego.
 Boulder, COSan Diego, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.9100
 Food & Groceries106.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock89.0100
 Housing322.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$833,500$338,100
 Utilities93  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock120.2100
 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 San Diego    319 Reviews

I have lived in San Diego for more than half my life (I am 30) and love it. It has something for everyone and more from arts, to sporting events, and all cuisine is  More

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The only real knock again San Diego is the cost of living, but it is paradise compared to most cities of similar size. Those who complain about the traffic here or say  More

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I have lived in San Diego since 1968 and I am now almost 62 years old. I love San Diego, I really do. But it has become so crowded and so expensive over the years. It  More

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