Arvada CO vs Boise ID — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arvada
122,835
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Boise
38.2
Boise +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Boise
1.4%
Boise +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Boise
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 235,701 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 38.2 | Boise + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 7.2% | Boise + |
| White | 82.8% | 83.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.0% | 1.4% | Boise + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.4% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 9.5% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Boise
$81,308
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Boise
$48,274
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Boise
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Boise
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
Boise
46.6%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $81,308 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $48,274 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $57,074 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 10.6% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 46.6% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Boise
63.0%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $504,894 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 63.0% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Boise
251
Boise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 251 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 958 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Boise
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Boise
18.6 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Boise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 20.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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