CostIndexUSA

Boulder, CO vs Racine, WI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Boulder
105.2
overall index
$2,250/mo rent
More AffordableWI
Racine
96
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Racine is moderately cheaper than Boulder — 8.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boulder, you would need $73,000 in Racine. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing41.4%
Boulder
157
Racine
92
🛒 Groceries2.4%
Boulder
96.1
Racine
93.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Boulder
104.8
Racine
104.4
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Boulder
94.8
Racine
94.4
Utilities+8.8%
Boulder
82.7
Racine
90

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Racine, WI
$73,000
$7,000 less needed in Racine

Formula: salary × (96 ÷ 105.2) = salary × 0.9125. 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×

Racine, WI

Median Home Price
$293,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,325
Housing Index
92
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

Boulder has 41.4% lower housing costs compared to Racine.

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

Racine, WI

Median Household Income
$74,000
Per Capita Income
$42,200
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
78,900
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

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)

Racine, WI
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.