Boise ID vs Boston MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Boston
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Boston
47.8%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Boston
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 663,972 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.2 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 27.5% | Boston + |
| White | 83.6% | 47.8% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 21.5% | Boston + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 10.0% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 18.9% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Boston
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Boston
16.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $94,755 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $60,001 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $85,405 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.0% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 16.9% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 54.1% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Boston
$793,154
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Boston
35.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $793,154 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 35.4% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Boston
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Boston
1086
| Metric | Boise, ID | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 326 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1086 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Boston
23.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Boston
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Boston
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Boston
6.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Boston
20.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Boston
10.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Boston
51.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Boston
43.8 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 51.5°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 43.8 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Boston
33.1 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 33.1 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, 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 326 in Boston. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Boise, ID vs New York, NYBoise, ID vs Los Angeles, CABoise, ID vs Chicago, ILBoise, ID vs Houston, TXBoise, ID vs Phoenix, AZBoise, ID vs Philadelphia, PA