Boise ID vs Chandler AZ — 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%
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Chandler
278,123
Chandler +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Chandler
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Chandler
37.4
Chandler +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Chandler
62.6%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Chandler
5.2%
Chandler +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Chandler
21.4%
Chandler +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Chandler
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 278,123 | Chandler + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.4 | Chandler + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 15.4% | Chandler + |
| White | 83.6% | 62.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 5.2% | Chandler + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 11.4% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 21.4% | Chandler + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Chandler
$59,120
Chandler +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Chandler
46.8%
Chandler +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $103,691 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $51,746 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $59,120 | Chandler + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 3.6% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 7.7% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 46.8% | Chandler + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Chandler
$524,013
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $524,013 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 65.6% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Chandler
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Chandler
2150
| Metric | Boise, ID | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 450 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2150 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Chandler
28.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Chandler
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Chandler
14.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Chandler
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Chandler
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Chandler
9.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Chandler
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Chandler
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Chandler, AZ | 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
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Chandler
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Chandler
26.1 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 26.1 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, 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 450 in Chandler. Chandler has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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