Boise ID vs Cheyenne WY — 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%
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Cheyenne
58,754
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Cheyenne
37.0
Cheyenne +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
Cheyenne
2.1%
White
Boise
83.6%
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Black
Boise
1.4%
Boise +
Cheyenne
0.6%
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Cheyenne
0.5%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Cheyenne
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 58,754 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.0 | Cheyenne + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 2.1% | Boise + |
| White | 83.6% | 89.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 1.4% | 0.6% | Boise + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 0.5% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 8.9% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Cheyenne
$69,171
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Cheyenne
$41,460
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Cheyenne
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Cheyenne
11.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Cheyenne
30.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $69,171 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $41,460 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $77,800 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 3.9% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 11.2% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 30.0% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Cheyenne
$388,590
Cheyenne +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $388,590 | Cheyenne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 70.3% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Cheyenne
1522
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 222 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1522 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Cheyenne
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Cheyenne
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Cheyenne
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Cheyenne
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Cheyenne
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Cheyenne
13.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 46.3°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 16.3 in | Cheyenne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Cheyenne
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 3.9 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 17.8 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while cheyenne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $388,590. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Boise. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³).
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