Section Image

Downtown

Downtown

$1,309,875 Average Value
$885 Average Price per Sq Ft
16 Homes For Sale

Downtown Boulder is shaped by its urban amenities and vibrant culture

Downtown is the beating heart of Boulder, where unique shops and trendy restaurants are on every corner. Condos and office buildings sit on top of commercial spaces in the neighborhood’s old brick buildings, where residents of all ages can find rental options. Annual city events keep the community close, and walkable, cyclist-friendly streets promote an active lifestyle.

Sunset casts a golden hue on Pearl Street’s storefronts in Downtown Boulder.
Sunset casts a golden hue on Pearl Street’s storefronts in Downtown Boulder.
People gather to explore Pearl Street’s offerings in Downtown Boulder.
People gather to explore Pearl Street’s offerings in Downtown Boulder.
1/2

Pearl Street’s shopping and dining options

Downtown Boulder is the city’s premier spot for retail and dining. “Within the entirety of downtown, there are over 100 restaurants options, from food carts to Michelin restaurants,” says Terri Takata-Smith, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Downtown Boulder Partnership. Pearl Street Mall is a pedestrian thoroughfare within Downtown that’s lined with locally owned and sourced eateries:

  • Bramble & Hare is an upscale American bistro with seasonal menus.
  • Bartaco is a trendy Mexican restaurant specializing gourmet tacos.
  • Frasca Food and Wine is a fine-dining destination serving Northern Italian dishes. It was recognized in Colorado’s Michelin Guide in 2023.
  • Avanti Food and Beverage is a high-end food court with a rooftop bar.
Buskers provide entertainment on the streets during the summer, and public art and fountains add to the area’s trendy and colorful atmosphere. When it comes to shopping, Downtown boasts everything from clothing boutiques like Pendleton to specialty shops like Peppercorn and Lush Cosmetics. “I always encourage people to explore the full length of the district. There are so many hidden treasures to be found in the east and west ends,” Takata-Smith says.

Pearl Street Mall is a pedestrian-friendly hub for food and shopping.
Pearl Street Mall is a pedestrian-friendly hub for food and shopping.
Postino’s is a beloved wine café in Downtown Boulder.
Postino’s is a beloved wine café in Downtown Boulder.
1/2

Downtown’s high-rise housing and rental market

Downtown’s housing market is primarily multi-use buildings with contemporary condos on the top levels. Units are priced between the upper $600,000s and $2.6 million, depending on square footage and added amenities. There are also a handful of newly constructed townhouses on the east side that go for $1 million to $3.3 million. The median sales price for a property downtown is about $1 million.

Roughly two-thirds of Downtown’s residents are renters. High-rise apartment complexes and condominiums are often rented at $1,700 to $3,400 per month. “This is where you start renting, generally, because this is where the more walkable, more urban, more job-centric communities are,” says Josh Jackson, a real estate advisor with LIV Sotheby’s International Realty, who has about 10 years of experience. “When you get closer to Pearl Street, that’s when it becomes a convergence zone between young professionals, families and students [of the University of Colorado Boulder].”

Contemporary Apartments make easy living in Downtown Boulder.
Contemporary Apartments make easy living in Downtown Boulder.
Modern condos and apartments enhance Downtown Boulder living.
Modern condos and apartments enhance Downtown Boulder living.
1/2

Walking, biking and parking around Downtown

Downtown’s sidewalks and pedestrian mall contribute to a walkable community. Residents are easily able to navigate from their offices or apartment buildings to shopping and dining amenities. “When you want to go out and stroll and take in the sites, you go to Pearl Street,” Jackson says. Biking is another popular way to get around, with many bike lanes lining the streets. There are also multiple Boulder BCycle docking stations for those who use the city’s electric bike sharing system. Boulder’s local bus service has stops along the main roads, providing public transit.

Most apartment complexes in the area have reserved garages for resident parking, and visitors can use one of five public parking garages. Street parking is possible in some areas, but often comes at a cost. Traffic can get congested the closer you are to the shops and restaurants. Commuters can also access Colorado state Highway 119, known as Boulder Canyon Drive, from the neighborhood and use it to travel throughout the city.

Public transportation is convenient and accessible in Downtown Boulder.
Public transportation is convenient and accessible in Downtown Boulder.
Take a stroll through Downtown Boulder's pedestrian mall.
Take a stroll through Downtown Boulder's pedestrian mall.
1/2

Highly attended community events

As the heart of Boulder’s community, Downtown hosts festivals and regular events throughout the year, drawing a large crowd to the area:

  • The Boulder International Film Festival is held in April and invites filmmakers from around the world to showcase their work.
  • The BoulderBoulder 10K race takes place in May, with runners starting downtown and finishing at Folsom Field.
  • The Pearl Street Arts Festival is held in July and features hundreds of artists selling sculptures, paintings, beadwork and more.
  • Bands on the Bricks takes place throughout June and July and is the city’s main summer concert series.
  • The Boulder Farmers Market is every Saturday morning and Wednesday afternoon from April to November. Dozens of vendors sell locally grown produce and food products.

Pick up some succulents from the Boulder Farmer's Market in Downtown.
Pick up some succulents from the Boulder Farmer's Market in Downtown.
Bands on the Bricks is a free music concert on Pearl Street.
Bands on the Bricks is a free music concert on Pearl Street.
1/2

Nearby recreation along Boulder Creek and in the mountains

While most of Downtown resembles a typical cityscape, the area is not far from Boulder Creek and its natural recreation. Walking and biking trails follow the water’s edge, directly south of Boulder Canyon Drive. Residents enjoy fishing, kayaking and tubing when the weather’s warm. The city also has Barker Park, a small green space on 15th Street featuring a playground.

Multiple hiking trails leading into the mountains have an entry point less than 2 miles west of downtown. You can easily access the Red Rocks, Mount Sanitas, Flagstaff and Flatirons Vista trailheads.

A white water paddle boarder takes a shot at one of Boulder Creek's rapids.
A white water paddle boarder takes a shot at one of Boulder Creek's rapids.
Boulder Creek offers serene water views and multi-use paths.
Boulder Creek offers serene water views and multi-use paths.
1/2
Brittany Bell
Written By
Brittany Bell
Eli Tye
Photography Contributed By
Eli Tye
Francesco Basti
Video By
Francesco Basti

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Denver International

53 min drive

Bus

Pearl Street And 10th Street

Bus

Broadway & Canyon Blvd

Bus

20th St & Pearl St

Bus

Downtown Boulder Station Gate 4

Bus

Walnut St & 18th St

Bus

Arapahoe Ave & 14th St

Bus

Downtown Boulder Station Gate L

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Downtown neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown US
Homicide 6 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 7 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 7 4
Larceny 6 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
338
Number of Homes for Sale
16
Median Year Built
2005
Months of Supply
5.50
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,168
Above the national average
1,930
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,320
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,582
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
877
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,534

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
1,121
Median Age
30
Population under 18
14.7%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$54,833
Significantly below the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$100,074

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
98.8%
College Graduates
75.4%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
29.5%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
21''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
56''

Area Factors

Very friendly

Bike Score®

80 / 100

Moderately friendly

Walk Score®

60 / 100

Very friendly

Transit Score®

80 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown