Boulder CO vs North 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%
North Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 186,178
- Median HH Income$58,874
- Median Home Price$407,146
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+23.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boulder
106,274
North Las Vegas
186,178
North Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
North Las Vegas
39.0
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
North Las Vegas
26.0%
North Las Vegas +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
North Las Vegas
43.6%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
North Las Vegas
11.3%
North Las Vegas +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
North Las Vegas
34.6%
North Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 186,178 | North Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 39.0 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 26.0% | North Las Vegas + |
| White | 81.8% | 43.6% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 11.3% | North Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 11.4% | North Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 34.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
North Las Vegas
$58,874
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
North Las Vegas
$35,069
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
North Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Boulder +
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
North Las Vegas
16.8%
North Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
North Las Vegas
23.9%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $58,874 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $35,069 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $62,696 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 9.4% | Boulder + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 16.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 23.9% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
North Las Vegas
$407,146
North Las Vegas +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
North Las Vegas
41.2%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $407,146 | North Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 41.2% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
North Las Vegas
460
North Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
North Las Vegas
2417
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 460 | North Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2417 | North Las Vegas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
North Las Vegas
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
North Las Vegas
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
North Las Vegas
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
North Las Vegas
19.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
North Las Vegas
15.6%
North Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
North Las Vegas
16.1%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 33.8% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 12.2% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 20.7% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 19.6% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 16.1% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 68.8°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 4.7 in | North Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
North Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | North Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 24.6 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while north Las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $407,146. On public safety, North 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 North 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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