City Comparison
Boulder City vs Wells
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wells scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Boulder City
Wells
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wells is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
37% lower than in Boulder City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Boulder City's average rent is
158% higher than Wells's.
| Metric | Boulder City | Wells | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,495 | $580 | +158% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,445 | $1,530 | +60% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wells offers 14% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wells delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Boulder City is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Wells.
| Metric | Boulder City | Wells |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,647 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,997 idx | 67,708 idx |
| Household Income | $74,757 | $107,454 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Boulder City runs warmer on average — a 69°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Boulder City comes out ahead with 339 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Boulder City sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Boulder City | Wells |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 69.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 101.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 40.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 5.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 339 | |
| Humidity | 25.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Boulder City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Wells.
Wells scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Boulder City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Boulder City | Wells |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 37 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 36.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 36.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Boulder City is the larger city
— approximately 11x the population of Wells.
From a growth perspective, Wells is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Boulder City | Wells |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,919 | 1,352 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.09% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 53.5 | 36.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Boulder City
Advantages
Strict municipal growth ordinances protect the town's historic charm and prevent over-urbanization per the City of Boulder City.
Proximity to Lake Mead National Recreation Area provides world-class boating, hiking, and outdoor recreation right next door per Census data.
Significantly lower crime rates and higher safety scores compared to nearby Las Vegas and regional averages per federal crime reports.
A peaceful, non-gambling environment offering a quiet residential escape from the neon and noise of the Las Vegas Strip per municipal code.
Active local community engagement with robust volunteerism, local parks, and dedicated community programming per Data USA.
Drawbacks
Limited housing inventory and strict growth caps drive up property values and home purchase prices per Zillow and U.S. Census data.
An older median age profile (53.5 years) results in fewer dynamic nightlife options and family-oriented entertainment venues per Census metrics.
High car dependency with limited public transportation options for commuting outside municipal boundaries per regional transit studies.
Extreme summer high temperatures exceeding 100°F restrict outdoor daytime activities during peak summer months per Open-Meteo climate data.
Local employment options within city limits are relatively scarce, requiring many residents to commute to Henderson or Las Vegas per local economic reports.
Wells
Advantages
Wells offers a cost of living that is 7% lower than the Nevada average and 4% lower than the national average, with housing costs being 18% lower than the national average.
The violent crime rate in Wells is 0.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 75% below the national average.
The median household income in Wells saw a significant increase of 41.5% from 2023 to 2024, reaching $107,454.
Wells is considered a buyer's market, indicating a favorable environment for those looking to purchase a home.
The town provides a sparse suburban feel with a strong sense of community, appealing to those seeking a quieter lifestyle.
Drawbacks
Public transit is not widely available, and the city has low walkability and transit scores, making car ownership essential.
The poverty rate in Wells is 21.3%, which is higher than the national average of 12.5%.
Specific data on the number of hospitals and comprehensive healthcare services in Wells is limited, potentially requiring travel to larger cities for specialized care.
While home prices have seen increases, some reports indicate a recent decrease in median property value.
The town's economy is concentrated in a few key industries, which could lead to vulnerability to sector-specific downturns.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Boulder City
#231Nevada, USA
62.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,495
Avg Salary
$55,647
Cost Index
105
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
339/yr
Avg Temp
69.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.09%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
78
Business
65
Wells
#113Nevada, USA
66.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$580
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
37 min
Transit Score
36.0/100
Walkability
36.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
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