Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 83.6% | 63.5% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 3.2% | Reno + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Reno
$45,180
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $78,448 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $45,180 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.0% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 12.5% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 35.7% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $570,934 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 49.4% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Boise, ID | Reno, 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
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Reno
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 53.0°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 22.3 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, 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 460 in Reno. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Reno 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