Boulder, CO Crime Rate & Safety

Boulder, CO has a crime safety grade of B+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 43% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 455 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 70 chance for property crime. Boulder has lower crime than 80% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Boulder is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B+. Approximately 100% of the city's 68 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Rolling Hills is one of the safest areas, while Glenwood has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Boulder is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Boulder are Rolling Hills, Wonderland Hills, University of Colorado Main Campus, Forest Glen, and Githens Acres. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Boulder include Glenwood, Goss-Grove, East Aurora, Keewaydin Meadows, and Boulder Meadows. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Boulder is 219.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 42% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 455 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.1 per 100K (38% below average); aggravated assault at 149.7 per 100K (44% below average); robbery at 45.7 per 100K (38% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Boulder is 1,425.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 22% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 70 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 155.0 per 100K (43% below average); larceny/theft at 1,061.2 per 100K (24% below average); vehicle theft at 209.6 per 100K (34% below average).

Boulder's overall crime rate is 43% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (24% below average), while assault is 44% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Boulder has lower crime than 80% of them.

Boulder is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 22% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Rolling Hills, Wonderland Hills, University of Colorado Main Campus.

Colorado as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Boulder's crime rate is 43% below the national average, making it safer the typical Colorado city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Boulder, with an estimated rate of 1,061.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 24% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,426 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (220 per 100K) in Boulder, which is consistent with national trends.