Bellevue WA 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)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
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
Bellevue
151,199
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Boise
38.2
Boise +
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Boise
7.2%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Bellevue +
Boise
1.4%
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Boise
3.4%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 235,701 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 38.2 | Boise + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 7.2% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 83.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 2.2% | 1.4% | Bellevue + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 3.4% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 9.5% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Boise
$81,308
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Boise
$48,274
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Boise
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Boise
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Boise
46.6%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $81,308 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $48,274 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $57,074 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 3.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 10.6% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 46.6% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $504,894 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 63.0% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Boise
251
Boise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 251 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 958 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Boise
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Boise
18.6 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Bellevue +
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Boise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 20.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, 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 383 in Bellevue. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Bellevue has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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