Boise ID vs Colorado Springs 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%
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Colorado Springs +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 483,099 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.6 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 7.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| White | 83.6% | 72.3% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 5.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.0% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 18.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Colorado Springs
41.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $83,198 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $44,893 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $76,653 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.5% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 9.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 41.9% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Colorado Springs
61.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $451,202 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 61.3% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Colorado Springs
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Colorado Springs
3234
| Metric | Boise, ID | Colorado Springs, 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
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Colorado Springs
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Colorado Springs
11.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 49.0°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 16.5 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 24.1 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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