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Moving to Boulder, CO?
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI crime data, Boulder, CO has a Safety Score of 19/100 — higher crime than 81% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 3,055.3 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,401 of 2,957 US cities and #27 of 45 in Colorado.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Boulder, CO?
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Boulder, Colorado Safe?
Nestled at the base of the Flatirons, Boulder is home to a highly educated populace, with a significant portion holding advanced degrees. This university city, known for its outdoor recreation and progressive culture, sits at an elevation of 5,430 feet.
Boulder has a safety score of 19/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,055.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,785.9 per 100,000.
Boulder ranks #27 out of 45 cities in Colorado and #2401 out of 2957 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 19th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 81% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Boulder is burglary, at 383.1 per 100K — 1.3x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Boulder's total crime rate decreased by 10.5%, with violent crime declining 9.7%.
Burglary in Boulder runs 1.3x the national average. Basic measures help — exterior lighting, locked and reinforced entry points — but if you rent, your landlord's policy covers the building, not your belongings. Renters insurance typically covers personal property lost to theft or a break-in; you can get a renters insurance quote online in a few minutes.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Boulder Crime Statistics Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 339 | 322.3 | 478.2 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 37 | 35.2 | 43.8 |
| Robbery | 47 | 44.7 | 94.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 255 | 242.4 | 333.5 |
| Property Crime | 2,875 | 2,733.0 | 2,307.7 |
| Burglary | 403 | 383.1 | 292.0 |
| Larceny-Theft | 2,253 | 2,141.7 | 1,657.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 219 | 208.2 | 358.0 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Boulder vs Colorado Average
How does Boulder's crime rate compare to the Colorado state average?
| Metric | Boulder | Colorado Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 322.3 | 609.8 | -47.2% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,733.0 | 3,256.2 | -16.1% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 5.5 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,055.3 | 3,866.0 | -21.0% |
Boulder Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Boulder, Colorado.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 105,195 | 3,055.3 | 322.3 | 2,733.0 |
| 2023 | 104,232 | 3,414.5 | 356.9 | 3,057.6 |
| 2022 | 103,099 | 3,398.7 | 378.3 | 3,020.4 |
| 2021 | 108,698 | 3,852.9 | 391.0 | 3,461.9 |
| 2020 | 106,598 | 4,121.1 | 326.5 | 3,794.6 |
| 2019 | 108,519 | 3,282.4 | 256.2 | 3,026.2 |
Boulder Crime Map — Surrounding Area
City-level crime rates from FBI data for Boulder and nearby cities — green is safer, red is higher-crime; circle size is population. Not an incident-level map. Full state view: Colorado crime map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boulder, Colorado safe?
Boulder has a safety score of 19/100, meaning it has less crime than about 19% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 3,055.3 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Boulder is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Boulder, Colorado?
According to FBI data for 2024, Boulder has a violent crime rate of 322.3 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,733.0 per 100,000 residents.
How does Boulder compare to the national average?
Boulder's total crime rate of 3,055.3 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 105,195 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Boulder?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Boulder are larceny-theft (2,253 reported incidents) and burglary (403 reported incidents). Property crime outnumbers violent crime 8.5x in the city.
Is Boulder safe to visit?
Like any city, Boulder has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 19/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.
How can I protect my home in Boulder?
Start with the fundamentals: exterior lighting, locked and reinforced entry points, and knowing your neighbors. If you rent, make sure your belongings are insured — a landlord's policy covers the building, not your things. You can get a renters insurance quote online.