Boise ID vs Columbus OH — 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%
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Columbus
53.3%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Columbus
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 906,480 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 14.4% | Columbus + |
| White | 83.6% | 53.3% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 29.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 5.8% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 7.9% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Columbus
$65,327
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Columbus
$37,189
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Columbus
$58,300
Columbus +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Columbus
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Columbus
17.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Columbus
38.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $65,327 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $37,189 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $58,300 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.1% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 17.8% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 38.2% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Columbus
44.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $248,749 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 44.3% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Columbus
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Columbus
1866
| Metric | Boise, ID | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 319 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1866 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Columbus
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Columbus
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Columbus
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Columbus
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Columbus
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Columbus
15.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Columbus
40.2 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 40.2 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
Columbus
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Columbus
23.4 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 23.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Columbus. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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