Moving from Greeley, CO to Boulder, CO
The drive from Greeley to Boulder covers 49 mi in about 1h 7m. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
49 mi · 1h 7m by car · CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CO 119, I 25, US 34 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Collins, Thornton, Westminster, Arvada, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Greeley | Boulder | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.176 | 105.202 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.997 | 82.741 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.599 | 157.02 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 5.0% pricier overall in Boulder than Greeley on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Boulder typical home at $964,531 is 5.0% above Greeley at $420,464 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Greeley -1.6%, Boulder -2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Greeley | Boulder |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 34.9" | 92.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.7" | 21.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 52.1°F vs 51.5°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Boulder sees 92.8 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: GREELEY UNC, CO US, BOULDER, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Greeley | Boulder |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,421 | 106,274 |
| Median household income | $68,650 | $85,364 |
| Median age | 32.5 | 28.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.9% | 36.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.42 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 5.0% between Greeley and Boulder (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Boulder MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 19,760 | $91,230 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,640 | $47,560 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,360 | $50,060 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 17,660 | $37,440 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 17,320 | $131,150 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Boulder averages 92.8 in annually vs 34.9 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
Is Boulder more expensive than Greeley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Boulder is 5.0% higher than Greeley (105.202 vs 100.176, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Boulder, CO from Greeley, CO?
The driving distance is 49 mi and the route typically takes 1h 7m via CO 119 and I 25. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Greeley vs Boulder?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,364 in Boulder vs $68,650 in Greeley — a 24.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Greeley and Boulder?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 51.5°F in Boulder vs 52.1°F in Greeley (0.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 92.8 in vs 34.9 in. Annual precipitation: 21.2 in vs 14.7 in.
How much do homes cost in Boulder compared to Greeley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $964,531 in Boulder vs $420,464 in Greeley — a 129.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Boulder compare to Greeley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $64,750 in the Boulder MSA vs $50,140 in the Greeley MSA, on total employment of 194,440 and 111,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Greeley to Boulder?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 49 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Greeley.
City profiles: Greeley, CO · Boulder, CO.