Arvada CO vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arvada
122,835
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 82.8% | 63.5% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 3.2% | Reno + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Reno
$45,180
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $78,448 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $45,180 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $62,696 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.0% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 12.5% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 35.7% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $570,934 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 49.4% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Reno
2417
Reno +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2417 | Reno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Reno
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Arvada +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Reno
18.9%
Reno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 28.4% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.5% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.5% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 13.0% | Arvada + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 18.9% | Reno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.8% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Reno
8.3 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 8.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while reno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,934. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Arvada has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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