Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 38.5 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 81.8% | 49.2% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 11.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Las Vegas
$70,723
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Las Vegas
$38,421
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Boulder +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $70,723 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $38,421 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $62,696 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.2% | Boulder + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 27.3% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $426,069 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Las Vegas
2417
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 460 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2417 | Las Vegas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Las Vegas
32.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 32.4% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 12.5% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 19.5% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 17.0% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 15.6% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 67.4°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 27.7 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Boulder has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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