CostIndexUSA

Boulder, CO vs Lancaster, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Boulder
105.2
overall index
$2,250/mo rent
More AffordablePA
Lancaster
98.3
overall index
$1,500/mo rent

Lancaster is moderately cheaper than Boulder — 6.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boulder, you would need $74,800 in Lancaster. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing40.3%
Boulder
157
Lancaster
93.8
🛒 Groceries+4.8%
Boulder
96.1
Lancaster
100.7
🚗 Transportation2.1%
Boulder
104.8
Lancaster
102.6
🏥 Healthcare2.1%
Boulder
94.8
Lancaster
92.8
Utilities+29.7%
Boulder
82.7
Lancaster
107.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Boulder to see what you'd need to earn in Lancaster to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Lancaster, PA
$74,800
$5,200 less needed in Lancaster

Formula: salary × (98.3 ÷ 105.2) = salary × 0.9344. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boulder, CO

Median Home Price
$702,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,250
Housing Index
157
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.0×

Lancaster, PA

Median Home Price
$372,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
93.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.7×

Boulder has 40.3% lower housing costs compared to Lancaster.

Income & Job Market

Boulder, CO

Median Household Income
$95,400
Per Capita Income
$54,400
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
105,112
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationResearchHealthcareOutdoor Recreation

Lancaster, PA

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
59,322
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailTourismAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Boulder, CO
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Lancaster, PA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.