Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Boise
38.2
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Boise
7.2%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Boise
1.4%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Boise
3.4%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Boise
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 235,701 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 38.2 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 7.2% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 83.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 7.4% | 1.4% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 3.4% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 9.5% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Boise
$81,308
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Boise
$48,274
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Boise
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Boise
46.6%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $81,308 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $48,274 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,074 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 10.6% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 46.6% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $504,894 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 63.0% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Boise
251
Boise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 251 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 958 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 49.9°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 18.6 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Boise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 20.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. 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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