Boise ID vs Cambridge 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%
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Cambridge
117,794
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Cambridge
57.5%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Cambridge
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 117,794 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 30.5 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 28.8% | Cambridge + |
| White | 83.6% | 57.5% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 10.5% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 19.7% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 8.9% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Cambridge
12.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $126,469 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $76,789 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $85,405 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 3.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 12.4% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 80.2% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Cambridge
33.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $1,041,988 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 33.7% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Cambridge
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Cambridge
1086
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cambridge, 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
Cambridge
21.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Cambridge
5.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Cambridge
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Cambridge
3.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Cambridge
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Cambridge
7.1%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 3.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Cambridge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Cambridge
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Cambridge
28.3 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 28.3 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, 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 Cambridge. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cambridge 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