Boulder Creek 74 Excellent
Boulder Creek Livability #139 ranked city in California#4,843 ranked city in the USARanks better than 83% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Boulder Creek

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Based on the most recent cost of living data, this area is more expensive to live in. You can expect to pay more for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries and utilities.

What's it like Living in Boulder Creek?

Located in the state of California, Boulder Creek is a smaller city with a population of 5,454 inhabitants. The majority of Boulder Creek residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Native Hawaiian and Black. With an average age of 48 years, Boulder Creek residents appear to be older compared to the national average. For seniors and retirees, this city presents itself as a compelling choice. An important consideration when living in Boulder Creek is the longer-than-average commute times. If you seek a short work commute, this area may not be the best choice for you. The one-way commute time here typically takes 41 minutes, far surpassing the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Boulder Creek could be a positive experience compared to other cities in California if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, education, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Boulder Creek and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Boulder Creek to California and the national average.

With a livability score of 73/100, Boulder Creek is ranked #4,650 in the United States and #154 in California. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Boulder Creek ranks very well for crime (B+), education (B-), employment (A+) and housing (B+). There are some categories that Boulder Creek scores poorly for, including: amenities (F) and cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Boulder Creek apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Boulder Creek is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Boulder Creek come in at $1,111,874, which is 52% higher than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Boulder Creek, the home price to income ratio is 7.1, which is 7.8% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Boulder Creek

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Compare Boulder Creek, CA Livability

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      Boulder Creek transportation information

      Statistic Boulder Creek California National
      Average one way commute41min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work69.9%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool2.8%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.3%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.8%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.1%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home22.9%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Boulder Creek, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.