Boise ID vs Cary NC — 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%
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Cary
176,686
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Boise +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Cary
60.1%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Cary
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 176,686 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 39.8 | Boise + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 23.7% | Cary + |
| White | 83.6% | 60.1% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 7.6% | Cary + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 9.3% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Cary
$59,120
Cary +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $59,120 | Cary + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $629,864 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Cary
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Cary
1999
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 398 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1999 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Cary
25.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Cary
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Cary
12.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Cary
6.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Cary
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Cary
7.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 25.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Cary
59.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 59.4°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 46.3 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Cary
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Cary
24.3 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 24.3 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, 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 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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