City comparison
No. Boise's crime index is 73 versus 151 in Reno, and its violent crime index is 85 versus 156, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Boise is cheaper. Median rent is $1,446 a month versus $1,556 in Reno.
Safety is where Reno and Boise split most clearly. Boise scores 78 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,556 in Reno and $1,446 in Boise.
Boise is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, the job market, and safety by margins that add up in daily life. Reno makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Boise is the stronger move.
The crime gap is citywide. Boise has rougher pockets and Reno has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Reno and Boise are 338 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,446 a month in Boise, down $110 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $83,904 in Boise, up $3,144 (4%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 73 in Boise, down 78 points (52%).
The move
Boise and Reno are 338 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,446 a month in Boise to $1,556 a month in Reno, up $110 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $83,904 in Boise to $80,760 in Reno, down $3,144 (4%).
The crime index goes from 73 in Boise to 151 in Reno, up 78 points (107%).
Reno, NV
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Boise, ID
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Reno and Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
7% cheaper
Boise rent is 7% cheaper than Reno
Reno
$1,556/mo
Boise
Winner$1,446/mo
Typical rent runs $1,446 a month in Boise versus $1,556 in Reno, so Boise is 7% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $110, or $1,320 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
4% higher
Boise's median income is 4% higher than Reno
Reno
$80,760
Boise
Winner$83,904
Median household income is $83,904 in Boise versus $80,760 in Reno, so typical pay runs 4% higher in Boise (about $3,144 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
52% lower crime
Boise's crime index is 52% lower than Reno
Reno
151 (100 = avg)
Boise
Winner73 (100 = avg)
Boise's crime index is 73 versus 151 in Reno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 52% lower in Boise. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Boise is the easier city. Reno can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
3% more comfortable
Reno weather is 3% more comfortable than Boise
Reno
Winner62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Boise
61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs); Boise averages about 61°F (70°F highs). Reno averages around 62°F. Boise averages around 61°F. Reno scores 3% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Boise if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Pick Reno if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (62°F) beat Boise on this page's weather index by 3%. Boise may pay more or cost less, but Reno is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Boise is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 7% cheaper here at about $1,446 a month. Choose Boise if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Boise is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 4% higher here ($83,904). Start with Boise if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Boise is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 52% lower than Reno (73 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Boise: Boise scores 70/100 versus 47/100 in Reno, with typical rent at $1,446 versus $1,556. I would vet the exact ZIP in Reno before trading 23 safety points for housing savings.
With only $110 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Median income is $83,904 in Boise versus $80,760 in Reno.
Boise clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Reno deserves a serious look only when you already know the Reno block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
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Nearby research
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