Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Boise
235,701
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Boise
38.2
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Boise
7.2%
White
Austin
59.9%
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Boise
1.4%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Boise
3.4%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Boise
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 235,701 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.2 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 7.2% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 83.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 7.5% | 1.4% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 3.4% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 9.5% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Boise
$81,308
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Boise
$48,274
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Boise
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Boise
46.6%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $81,308 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $48,274 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,074 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 10.6% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 46.6% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $504,894 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 63.0% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Boise
251
Boise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
30.1%
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 49.9°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 18.6 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 20.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. 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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