Boise ID vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Boise +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.5 | Boise + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 83.6% | 49.2% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 11.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Las Vegas
$70,723
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Las Vegas
$38,421
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Las Vegas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $70,723 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $38,421 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 7.2% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 14.2% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 27.3% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Las Vegas
55.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $426,069 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 55.7% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Boise, ID | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 460 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2417 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Las Vegas
32.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Las Vegas
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 67.4°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 27.7 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Boise, ID vs New York, NYBoise, ID vs Los Angeles, CABoise, ID vs Chicago, ILBoise, ID vs Houston, TXBoise, ID vs Phoenix, AZBoise, ID vs Philadelphia, PA