CostIndexUSA

Boulder, CO vs Vallejo, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCO
Boulder
105.2
overall index
$2,250/mo rent
CA
Vallejo
108.5
overall index
$2,375/mo rent

Boulder is slightly cheaper than Vallejo — 3.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boulder, you would need $82,500 in Vallejo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing9.6%
Boulder
157
Vallejo
142
🛒 Groceries+9.5%
Boulder
96.1
Vallejo
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Boulder
104.8
Vallejo
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Boulder
94.8
Vallejo
95.3
Utilities+87.4%
Boulder
82.7
Vallejo
155

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Vallejo, CA
$82,500
$2,500 more needed in Vallejo

Formula: salary × (108.5 ÷ 105.2) = salary × 1.0314. 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×

Vallejo, CA

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,375
Housing Index
142
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.9×

Boulder has 9.6% lower housing costs compared to Vallejo.

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

Vallejo, CA

Median Household Income
$100,000
Per Capita Income
$57,000
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
121,253
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryManufacturingRetailGovernment

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)

Vallejo, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.