Denver 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Denver
62.9%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 268,959 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.3 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 62.9% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 8.8% | 3.2% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 24.6% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Reno
$45,180
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $78,448 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $45,180 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $62,696 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.0% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 12.5% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 35.7% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Denver +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $570,934 | Denver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Reno
2417
Reno +
| Metric | Denver, 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
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Reno
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Reno
18.9%
Reno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 28.4% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 9.5% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 18.9% | Reno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.8% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, 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
Denver
27.4 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, while denver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $541,899. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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