Is Living in Nearby Cities Worth It for CU Boulder Students?

CU Boulder students save $300 to $600 monthly by renting in Longmont, Lafayette, or Louisville instead of Boulder proper, though commute times add 20 to 45 minutes each way depending on transit options. One-bedroom apartments in these neighboring cities range from $1,100 to $1,600 compared to Boulder’s $1,500 to $2,200 average. RTD bus routes connect all three cities to CU Boulder’s campus with regular service throughout the academic year. The trade-off between savings and convenience depends on your class schedule, transportation preferences, and tolerance for commuting.

TL;DR: Quick Answer

• CU Boulder students save $300-$600 monthly renting in Longmont, Lafayette, or Louisville versus Boulder
• RTD bus routes like the DASH line connect Louisville and Lafayette to campus without needing a car
• Longmont offers the lowest rents at $1,100-$1,400 but requires the longest commute at 35-45 minutes
• Lafayette balances affordability and proximity with rents around $1,200-$1,550 and 20-30 minute commutes
• Find My Place lists available rentals across all Boulder County communities for CU Boulder students

Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville Sit Within 20 Miles of CU Boulder

Geography matters here. Louisville is closest. The city sits roughly 10 miles southeast of CU Boulder’s main campus, making it the most convenient commuter option among the three. Lafayette falls about 12 miles east of campus along U.S. Route 36. Longmont stretches the distance to roughly 17 miles north along the Diagonal Highway.

Drive times without traffic paint a clean picture. Louisville to CU Boulder takes 15 to 20 minutes by car during off-peak hours. Lafayette adds another 5 to 10 minutes. Longmont pushes 25 to 35 minutes on a good day.

Peak hours change everything. Morning traffic along Highway 36 and the Diagonal can double those estimates between 7:30 and 9:00 AM. Students with 8 AM classes should plan for delays or consider earlier departures. Evening return trips face similar congestion from 4:30 to 6:00 PM.

CU Boulder Students Commute from Nearby Cities Without Cars Using RTD

Owning a car is not required. RTD operates several bus routes connecting Boulder County communities to CU Boulder’s campus. The system works well for students who plan around scheduled service times.

The DASH route runs between Boulder, Louisville, and Lafayette with stops near major apartment complexes and shopping centers. Service runs roughly every 30 minutes during peak hours. That frequency drops to every 60 minutes on evenings and weekends.

Longmont connections require transfers. Students typically ride the BOLT route or the 225 bus into Boulder Station, then transfer to campus shuttles. Total transit time from Longmont reaches 45 to 70 minutes depending on connection timing. Not ideal for packed schedules.

CU Boulder provides free RTD passes through the Buff OneCard for enrolled students. This eliminates monthly transit costs that would otherwise run $100 to $150. That free pass makes bus commuting financially attractive even when travel times feel long.

Cycling works too. Louisville residents can bike to campus along the Coal Creek Trail and connecting paths in roughly 40 to 50 minutes. Lafayette cyclists face a similar ride. Longmont is too far for practical daily cycling for most students.

Rent Differences Between Boulder and Nearby Cities Save Students Hundreds Monthly

The numbers tell a clear story. Boulder rents run high.

Studio apartments in Boulder average $1,400 to $1,700 monthly. One-bedrooms climb to $1,500 to $2,200. Shared housing near campus starts around $900 to $1,200 per person depending on the neighborhood and building age.

Louisville offers meaningful savings. Studios and one-bedrooms range $1,200 to $1,600. That translates to $200 to $500 monthly savings compared to equivalent Boulder units. The downtown Louisville area provides walkable restaurants and shops, reducing the feeling of isolation some commuter students experience.

Lafayette pushes savings further. Rents average $1,200 to $1,550 for one-bedrooms. Older apartment complexes near downtown Lafayette drop below $1,100 occasionally. The savings offset commute costs and time for many budget-focused CU Boulder students.

Longmont delivers the biggest discounts. One-bedroom apartments range $1,100 to $1,400. Studios start below $1,000 in some complexes. Students willing to commit to longer commutes pocket $400 to $600 monthly compared to Boulder equivalents.

City	One-Bedroom Range	Savings vs. Boulder	Drive to Campus	Bus to Campus
Boulder	$1,500-$2,200	Baseline	N/A	N/A
Louisville	$1,200-$1,600	$200-$500/mo	15-20 min	25-35 min
Lafayette	$1,200-$1,550	$300-$550/mo	20-30 min	30-45 min
Longmont	$1,100-$1,400	$400-$600/mo	25-35 min	45-70 min

RTD Routes Connect Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville to CU Boulder Campus

Transit infrastructure varies by city. Understanding each route helps students plan realistic commute schedules.

Louisville connections are strongest. The DASH route provides direct service to Boulder with multiple daily runs. Students report consistent reliability during fall and spring semesters. Weekend service operates on reduced schedules.

Lafayette riders also use the DASH. Service extends through both Louisville and Lafayette along a single corridor. Stop locations near major residential areas make the route practical for apartment dwellers along the main commercial strips.

Longmont requires more planning. The BOLT bus offers express service to Boulder but runs limited daily trips. Peak morning and afternoon departures target traditional commuter schedules. Students with midday classes may face gaps in service. The 225 route provides more frequent stops but adds time.

RTD’s regional pass covers all these routes. CU Boulder’s included Buff OneCard pass means zero additional transit expense regardless of which city students choose. That benefit effectively subsidizes the commuter lifestyle.

Living Farther from CU Boulder Saves Real Money but Costs Real Time

Honest assessment time. The savings are genuine. So are the trade-offs.

A student living in Longmont saves roughly $5,000 to $7,200 annually compared to Boulder rents. That covers textbooks, food, and emergency expenses with room to spare. Real money. Meaningful impact on student debt and financial stress.

Time costs add up though. A student commuting 45 minutes each way spends roughly 90 minutes daily in transit. Over a 15-week semester with five commute days weekly, that equals approximately 112 hours. More than four full days spent traveling.

Louisville strikes the most popular balance. Moderate savings with manageable commute times attract students who want Boulder proximity without Boulder prices. The downtown area provides social opportunities that reduce the isolation factor.

Lafayette works well for students with afternoon class schedules. Morning traffic avoidance makes the commute smoother. Students with primarily late-morning or afternoon classes report higher satisfaction with Lafayette living.

Longmont fits a specific student profile. Online-heavy course loads, part-time on-campus schedules, or students with cars who value space and affordability over walkability to campus choose Longmont deliberately. It works when expectations match reality.

CU Off-Campus Life recommends exploring these neighboring cities as part of any housing search. The university explicitly suggests factoring in RTD bus routes when evaluating affordability across Boulder County communities.

Find My Place lists available student rentals across Boulder, Louisville, Lafayette, and Longmont so CU Boulder students can compare pricing, amenities, and commute distances from a single platform.