How does the rent for Pearl St. houses / apartments compare to the rest of Boulder?

Rents are definately higher near the mall and so are purchase prices. My educated guess would be 10-20 % higher.

Our first condo in 2004 was walking distance to pearl st -- a 2 Bed / 2 Bath 1,000sf condo with garage parking for about $950/mo. Today it's closer to $1,500, but it's still worth it! Rents jumped in spring of 2012 so a bit tougher to get a "screaming deal" on more popular properties.

Many people ask me or comment about how outrageous rent is in Boulder. I live 3 miles from downtown in a nice tri-level with a roommate. We pay $1500/month for rent. But it is worth it living here and I am glad I did not buy a home, I have had too many financial ups and downs and a mortgage and homeowner expenses just are not do-able with my income.

All of Boulder is expensive as for living arrangements. I had a friend who lived right off of Pearl Street in this TINY little loft apartment and was paying $1,300 a month but that was about 10 years ago. It was a cool place, but pricey.

If you are within a few blocks on any side of the Pearl Street pedestrian mall area of downtown Boulder your rent will be double or even triple than if you lived just a few miles from the center. A normal two bedroom near downtown Pearl Street will run you about $2000/month whereas you can get a tri-level three bedroom just north of town in a great spot that is a 20 minute walk to downtown for $1400. To rent a nice but "normal" house near downtown can easily cost you upwards of $3000/month.