Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Boise
235,701
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Boise
38.2
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Boise
7.2%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Boise
1.4%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 235,701 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.2 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 7.2% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 83.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 60.0% | 1.4% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.4% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 9.5% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Boise
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $81,308 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $48,274 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $57,074 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 3.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 10.6% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 46.6% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Boise
$504,894
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $504,894 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 63.0% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Boise
251
Boise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 251 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 958 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 49.9°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 18.6 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Boise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 20.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³).
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