Boise ID vs Pueblo 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%
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Pueblo
111,514
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Pueblo
38.1
Pueblo +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
Pueblo
4.0%
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Pueblo
70.3%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Pueblo
2.7%
Pueblo +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Pueblo
0.8%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 111,514 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.1 | Pueblo + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 4.0% | Boise + |
| White | 83.6% | 70.3% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 2.7% | Pueblo + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 0.8% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 48.4% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Pueblo
$55,305
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Pueblo
$30,949
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Pueblo
$76,653
Pueblo +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Pueblo
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Pueblo
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Pueblo
22.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $55,305 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $30,949 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $76,653 | Pueblo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.9% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 19.2% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 22.8% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Pueblo
$286,326
Pueblo +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Pueblo
60.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $286,326 | Pueblo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 60.8% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Pueblo
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Pueblo
3234
| Metric | Boise, ID | Pueblo, 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
Pueblo
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Pueblo
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Pueblo
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Pueblo
18.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Pueblo
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Pueblo
15.1%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Pueblo
53.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Pueblo
13.0 in
Pueblo +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 53.7°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 13.0 in | Pueblo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Pueblo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Pueblo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Pueblo
21.1 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 21.1 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while pueblo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,326. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Pueblo. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Pueblo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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