Allen TX vs Boise ID — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allen
107,684
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Boise
38.2
Boise +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Boise
7.2%
White
Allen
55.7%
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Black
Allen
10.6%
Allen +
Boise
1.4%
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Boise
3.4%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Allen +
Boise
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 235,701 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 38.2 | Boise + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 7.2% | Allen + |
| White | 55.7% | 83.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 10.6% | 1.4% | Allen + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 3.4% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 9.5% | Allen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Boise
$81,308
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Boise
$48,274
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Allen +
Boise
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Boise
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Boise
46.6%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $81,308 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $48,274 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,074 | Allen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 10.6% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 46.6% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Allen +
Boise
$504,894
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Boise
63.0%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $504,894 | Allen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 63.0% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Boise
251
Boise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 251 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 958 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | 49.9°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | 18.6 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 20.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while allen offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $502,170. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Allen. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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