Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 37.3 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 81.8% | 63.5% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 3.2% | Reno + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Reno
$45,180
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $78,448 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $45,180 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $62,696 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 35.7% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $570,934 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Reno
2417
Reno +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2417 | Reno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Reno
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Reno
18.9%
Reno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 28.4% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 9.5% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.5% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 13.0% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 18.9% | Reno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.8% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 53.0°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 22.3 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while reno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,934. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno 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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