Boise ID vs Boulder CO — 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%
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Boulder
106,274
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Boulder
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Boulder
81.8%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Boise +
Boulder
1.1%
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Boulder
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 106,274 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 28.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 10.2% | Boulder + |
| White | 83.6% | 81.8% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 1.1% | Boise + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 5.8% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 11.2% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Boulder
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Boulder
21.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $85,364 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $59,450 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $76,653 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.1% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 21.8% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 76.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Boulder
$970,905
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Boulder
47.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $970,905 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 47.9% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Boulder
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Boulder
3234
| Metric | Boise, ID | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 512 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 3234 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Boulder
16.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Boulder
5.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Boulder
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Boulder
8.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Boulder
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Boulder
9.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 5.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Boulder
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Boulder
20.7 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 51.6°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 20.7 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boulder
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Boulder
21.0 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 21.0 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, 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 512 in Boulder. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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