Boise ID vs Denver CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Denver
62.9%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.2 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 13.9% | Denver + |
| White | 83.6% | 62.9% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 8.8% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.6% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Denver
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Denver
11.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.6% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 11.2% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Denver
49.1%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $541,899 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 49.1% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Boise, ID | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 512 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 3234 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Denver
21.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Denver
7.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Denver
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Denver
10.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 25.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Denver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 27.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 Denver. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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