Wealth Index
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Boulder | Colorado Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $80,352 | $93,055 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $84,449 | $69,173 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.1% | 5.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 17.7% | 17.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Boulder is about 14% lower than in Colorado. Income has been growing slower in Boulder (5.1%/yr) than in Colorado (5.8%/yr).
About 18% of adults in Boulder earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Colorado average of 17%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Boulder, Colorado grew by 71.3% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $80,352 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.1% per year.
Economic Inequality in Boulder | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Boulder | Colorado Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.620 | 0.547 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $89,244 | $75,396 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $79,056 | $61,821 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 11.4% | 18.0% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Boulder, it is 0.620, higher than Colorado's 0.547, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 13% more than women's income in Boulder, Colorado. Over a 35-year career, a 13% wage gap accumulates to roughly $356,580 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Boulder, Colorado has narrowed from about 24% to 11% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $3,174 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Boulder | Colorado Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 30.7% | 18.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 16 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 3,188 people are unemployed in Boulder, Colorado.
The average commute time in Boulder is 16 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Colorado.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Boulder, Colorado has fallen from 7.8% to 6.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Boulder, Colorado has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it somewhat worse than Colorado, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Boulder, Colorado.
How Rich Is Boulder, Colorado?
Boulder has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $80,352, about 14% lower than the Colorado average of $93,055.
What is the current median household income in Boulder, Colorado?
As of 2023, the median household income in Boulder, Colorado is $80,352.
What was the median household income in Boulder in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Boulder, Colorado was $80,352.
What was the median household income in Boulder in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Boulder, Colorado was $67,770.
What is the Gini coefficient in Boulder, Colorado?
The Gini coefficient in Boulder is 0.620. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Boulder, Colorado?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Boulder, Colorado has narrowed from about 24% to 11% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $3,174 since 2009.